AFTER graduation, I decided it was time to try living independently without relying on parental resources. I thought my parents would be proud, and I would finally be able to stand on my own feet.

However, to my surprise, my parents were not happy with the decision. They urged me to reverse my decision and to continue my studies. At the time, I could not understand why they were so insistent. Npnetheless, I had made up my mind, and made the move in September 2023.

Along with a friend, I rented a one-room flat and started a teaching job at a nearby nursing college at a monthly salary of Rs35,000. After splitting the expenses with my friend, who was working an online human resource job, there was nothing left in the pocket by the end of the month. As such, to save money, we had to travel about 4km to fetch water from a hand pump because we did not have the money to buy bottled water.

All of this was depressing, but still bearable until summer arrived. We did not have a refrigerator or an air-conditioner, and the suffocating heat drained all my energy and willpower. By July this year, I felt I could not survive if I continued living like this. I quit my job, returned to my parents’ house, and resumed my studies.

Nevertheless, this harsh experience taught me many a lesson about the stru-ggles that many people face on a daily basis. I was fortunate enough to have the option to return to my parents’ house, but the thought of families living like this without a stable income still haunts me.

Unfortunately, the lack of basic facilities and countless challenges pushes many people towards corruption because they feel they have no other choice.

The government must create more job opportunities, and ensure that salaries are sufficient enough to provide an acceptable standard of living to everyone.

Awais Raza Memon
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2024