Why PhD scholar becomes 'Sabziwala' in India?
World
The answer is insufficient income as a teacher
NEW DELHI (Web Desk) - Weird things happen in the world. This can be borne out by the example of a PhD scholar who sells vegetables to make both ends meet in India.
Yes, Dr Sandeep Singh, a PhD scholar, sells vegetables to supplement income he earns through the profession of teaching. He says his income as a teacher is insufficient to pay bills.
According to Indian media reports, Dr Singh, who also has four master's degrees as well as teaching experience spanning more than a decade at the Punjabi University, runs a vegetable stall aptly named "Ph.D. Sabzi Wala."
Speaking to media, Dr Singh said, "I go to the market in the morning to buy vegetables. By evening, I am free after selling the vegetables. After that, I teach my child, and then I focus on my studies. I taught at Punjabi University for five years on the JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) and seven years as a guest faculty member."
In June last year, he stopped teaching because he had financial problems. It has become difficult for him to rely on this meagre salary, he said.
He said he is a follower of Baba Guru Nanak and follows his teachings religiously. Therefore, he doesn’t beg and will continue this work.
He further said neither he can rely on the government to fulfill his dreams nor has he any expectation from the university to grant him a permanent job.
He said, " I will keep selling vegetables alongside teaching despite the challenges. Teaching is my passion, and I will open my own coaching centre one day.”
