The reality about unemployment came to me in more of a sarcastic way rather than a shock. It was a metro ride during my days of under-graduation. I was going back to home after completing my class on software (matlab), from Noida to Dwarka. It was evening and there was rush as offices were getting over. So I didn't find any seat and stood at the corner. In front of me there was a lady in her late 20s Or early 30s and beside her was sitting a man with a diary in his hand having picture of Sai Baba. He was an employee as he was wearing the company ID card.

The lady started the conversation. She asked if the man was devotee of Sai baba to which the man replied no he was not. But the lady seemed really interested in knowing the man. She continued that she herself is devotee of Sai baba and the picture on the diary compelled her to think that he was also a devotee. The man seemed not interested and replied without eye contact that the diary was given to him by the company for which he is working.

The lady now became silent observing that the man is not interested. But after few minutes the man asked the lady if she was working or house wife, which made the lady really joyous as if a child get a toy. She replied that she is not working and is actively seeking job. She asked where the man was working. The man replied that he works for a fire extinguisher company. She was not aware of what is a fire extinguisher. She asked him what is a fire extinguisher. The man replied that it is used to extinguish fire, the red colour instrument that she might have seen in every building. She seemed satisfied with the explanation.

She went on to ask how to apply for the job and if there is any vacancy. The man replied that company has a website she can look for vacancy there. The lady and the man were now really comfortable with each other.

The next question which she asked was if the man can apply on her behalf to which the man replied yes he can she can just whatsApp him her resume and he will forward to the higher ups in the management. The lady's happiness seemed no limits. She immediately opened her bag and handed over a document to the man. The man seemed puzzled. He inquired what was it. She replied it's her resume and he should apply for any job which ever department has opening in his company.

I was taken aback. The person who did not knew anything about fire extinguisher is applying for any job opening. And that's how the reality of unemployment hit me. How people are vying for job. Why people are underemployed. What is applying through source.