₹40,000 salary as an engineer versus ₹1,000 earnings as a Rapida driver: Rider reveals why he left his previous job; what changed

Each individual carries their own struggles and has a story that often goes unheard. Sometimes a casual conversation can offer a glimpse into another person’s life and struggles, helping us become more compassionate and bringing a much-needed new perspective. For a woman from Jharkhand, that prospect reportedly backfired ₹200 when she realized from a conversation with her Rapida driver that a degree and a well-paid job do not necessarily guarantee a good life. Success can look different for everyone.

A Jharkhand woman learns about the income of a Rapido rider

In a post on social media, a woman from Jharkhand shared her experience of booking a Rapid ride and the conversation with the driver who scared her. The woman asked the driver about his daily earnings, to which the man replied, “ ₹4000,” an answer that shocked her.

After she asked again if this was his monthly earnings, the man specified that he earns ₹4000 per day. What followed was an interview that challenged her assumptions about income, career and what it means to be successful.

The woman asked the rider again, “Does it mean you will earn more than ₹1 lakh per month?” He replied, “I earn between ₹1,00,000 a ₹1,20,000 per month.” She was now intrigued by his decision to work for Rapido and discovered the harsh reality many people face: low-paying jobs, rising inflation and salaries that just can’t keep up. The driver told her he was an ex-engineer who used to work for ₹40,000 per month, but had to quit and choose another path.

The Rapida driver revealed why he quit his engineering job and how much he now earns

When asked why he left his engineering job, the driver explained that his salary amounted to ₹40,000 was not enough to meet the family expenses, prompting him to leave. The woman then asked how he decided to leave such a good job when people work so hard and study for years to become engineers. He replied, “The most important thing for me was to meet the needs of my family. When I could not properly manage household expenses with my salary, I chose another path. Now I work in my own city and I am satisfied with my earnings.”

He added that he is happy with his job in Rapid and the earnings and can now work and live in his own city – a dream of many professionals who are often forced to leave their hometowns in search of better jobs.

At the end of her post, the woman wrote: “We often believe that a high degree, a good company and a well-paid job are necessary for a good life. But everyone’s conditions are different and the meaning of success is different for everyone.”