Delhiwale: People's person
Rohit Taneja is one of those staffers. He is a 'visa manager' for the Schengen countries of Europe. Like any of us with an office job, he has his identity firmly stitched into the fabric of his workplace. But he has an additional identity, possessing its distinct set of aspirations.
This evening in Connaught Place, on way to the metro station, the home-bound commuter in black t-shirt feels frank enough to share his longtime dream. 'I'm a people's person, I like meeting people from various backgrounds, and gain insight into their life… I then like to share those insights with the world.' He pauses for a moment, and says: 'I also want to bring out the truth… that's why I want to be a journalist.'
Just how to go about it? In this city of networkers, Rohit has no contact in newspapers or TV news channels. He isn't personally acquainted with any journalist. Six years ago, he says, he attempted the entrance exam for a post-graduate diploma in the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication, but couldn't crack it. While private institutes for similar studies exist, their fee requirements go beyond his budget. Even so, the man is trying. Two years back, he launched a YouTube channel called Citevent in which he uploads edited excerpts of video interviews that he routinely conducts with citizens, using his mobile phone.
Now 29, Rohit remarks he is still hopeful of becoming a professional journalist.
What if it doesn't happen?
'I'll then be a freelancer on YouTube.'
A day after this encounter, Rohit sends his considered thoughts over the WhatsApp. 'As a visa consultant, I have the unique privilege of meeting people from all walks of life. Each day brings new faces, new stories, and a fresh perspective on how diverse life journeys unfold across the globe. What may seem like a routine job on the surface—reviewing applications and guiding clients—actually offers something far deeper: a constant reminder of the power of ambition, resilience, and human connection.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
'I'm a serial non-sleeper': Soham Parekh claims he worked 140 hours a week moonlighting for US startups
Soham Parekh has opened up about the allegations that he worked at multiple startups simultaneously and confessed that they are true, adding that he worked for about 140 hours a week. In an interview with TBPN, he claimed that his decision to moonlight was to deal with his financial problems. Soham Parekh's average work week: Soham Parekh claimed that his decision to moonlight was out of necessity and not greed. (YouTube/@TBPNLive, Unsplash/samueloxm) {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} 'So an average day… an average week for you it feels like basically you sleep for 6 to 8 hours and you're basically programming for 12 to 14 hours every single day for seven days a week,' one of the interviewers asked. At this point, the other host asked him if he used AI tools to code, questioning if that made him take on more jobs. {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} Parekh replied that having AI tools helped him, but it didn't amount to him having more jobs. He claimed that he didn't have a fixed schedule for each company, but he rather focused on the job at hand. {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} 'I think people around me will probably say this that I am notoriously know for not sleeping. I am a… you know… I am a serial like non-sleeper at this point I would say. Why did he moonlight? {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} 'I think people around me will probably say this that I am notoriously know for not sleeping. I am a… you know… I am a serial like non-sleeper at this point I would say. Why did he moonlight? {{/usCountry}} Read More {{^usCountry}} When asked about his multiple jobs, the Indian techie said, 'Financial circumstances essentially. No one really likes to work 140 hours a week but I had to do it out of necessity.' Also Read: 'Drone shot down 10 mins away': AI founder shares Soham Parekh's Operation Sindoor guilt-trip texts Take a look at the entire interview: {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} When asked about his multiple jobs, the Indian techie said, 'Financial circumstances essentially. No one really likes to work 140 hours a week but I had to do it out of necessity.' Also Read: 'Drone shot down 10 mins away': AI founder shares Soham Parekh's Operation Sindoor guilt-trip texts Take a look at the entire interview: {{/usCountry}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} Soham Parekh's moonlighting came to light after Mixpanel co-founder Suhail Doshi tweeted about him, claiming that he is scamming US startups by working at multiple places simultaneously. The Indian techie, in his first interview since the scandal, confessed to moonlighting but claimed it was due to financial reasons rather than greed. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Soham Parekh breaks silence: Indian engineer admits to working at multiple startups, says it wasn't to scam anyone
Soham Parekh, accused of working at multiple startups simultaneously, has admitted to doing so in a recent interview but strongly added that he didn't do it to scam the companies. The internet has been flooded with stories, opinions and allegations after Mixpanel co-founder Suhail Doshi shared a tweet about Parekh accusing him of being a scammer. Soham Parekh, accused of working at multiple startups at the same time, hails from Mumbai and later relocated to the USA. (YouTube/@TBPNLive) In an interview with TBPN, Parekh shared his side of the story. When one of the interviewers asked him if he indeed held multiple jobs at the same time, Parekh said, 'It is true'. Why did he do it? 'Do you believe you were in violation of your own employment contracts? Or do you believe there were some legal loopholes that allowed you to do this without committing any sort of legal violation?' Parekh was asked. The Indian techie answered, 'Honestly, going back to how it started and what the motivations were. You probably know, I would want to preface with saying I'm not proud of what I've done. It's not something I endorse either.' He then says that he did it due to his financial situation. 'Financial circumstances essentially. No one really likes to work 140 hours a week but I had to do it out of necessity.' He explained that his actions were guided by necessity and not by greed. Did he hire people to work for him? Social media claimed that Parekh made a business out of his multiple jobs by hiring junior developers to do most of the work. The Indian techie denied the allegations, adding that he wrote every "inch of codes." Soham Parekh said he was born in Mumbai and relocated to the US in 2020. He was originally scheduled to relocate in 2018 and start his grad school. However, he said he had to give up on the idea due to his financial situation.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Is China a vegetarian's worst nightmare?': Indian shares reality of eating veg in viral video
An Indian living in China shared a video specially for vegetarians. In his post, the man shared his opinion about the long-standing belief that it's hard for vegetarians to find proper food in China as the locals only eat meat or seafood. An Indian gave a glimpse of a local market in China. (YouTube/@itsAtharvaMaheshwari) 'Is China a vegetarian's worst nightmare? I'm Atharva Maheshwari, an Indian vegetarian living in China, and I'm here to debunk the myths!' the YouTuber wrote. 'Forget the stereotypes you've heard about Chinese food being all meat. The reality is far more delicious and surprising,' he added. In the video, he takes the viewers on a tour of a local market, which he labels 'a true vegetarian paradise.' 'You won't believe the sheer variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, from countless types of leafy greens like bok choy and gai lan, to unique finds like lotus root, dozens of mushroom varieties (shiitake, enoki, wood ear), bamboo shoots, and giant pomelos. This is the ultimate guide for any vegetarian or vegan planning a trip to China,' Maheshwari explains. During his tour, Maheshwari shows common vegetables like orca, lotus root, brinjal, and more. He also gives a glimpse of those that are available only in China and then takes the viewers through the fruit market. Take a look at the video: Maheshwari's video received several thumbs up, with one YouTube user appreciating him for his job. 'Very nice, Atharva. Informative video. I have not seen such content about China till now. Keep it up.' Who is Atharva Maheshwari? 'Namaste, Hello & Ni Hao! I am Atharva Maheshwari, an Indian in China (Guang Zhou, to be precise). I am passionate about exploring the booming business opportunities between India and China,' Atharva Maheshwari wrote in his YouTube bio.
