What is your religion and your caste?
I am Hindu by religion and my caste is Rai.
Are you married, do you have children?
I have one son and I am married.
How long have you been in Delhi?
It's been almost 13 years in Delhi.
Whom do you live with?
I stay with my family. My son and my wife, the three of us.
Why did you come to Delhi?
Actually, I came for doing some educational course. And once it was done, I was just sitting at home. There was nothing to do, so I started looking for a job. I got work in retail. I worked in retail for 8 years. After that I switched to my own business.
Did you have any friends or family here before coming to Delhi?
Yeah, my sisters were here.
What kind of work do you do?
Right now? I run this restaurant. I do cooking, displays, everything. Ordering. And, moreover, I have a garment shop. For that I go buy stuff, order stuff, display. But I have a staff there who sits in the shop. And my wife also coordinates with me. So actually, I am here and she will be there. Something like that.
How did you start this type of work?
Since I was in retail. I used to look after Calvin Klein Jeans, so I got some good background in retail. I got contacts as well, so I thought, 'Lets start a shop, a retail shop.' At that time there were hardly any shops. So mine was the second. So it started like that. And I went into this business. After that I thought, 'Why not, let's try a restaurant business,' since it's a daily need, food for people to eat, you know. So we started this also.
How much is your salary? And is it enough to cover your needs?
Salary? I give salary, I don't take salary. I have employees, so I give each of them 10 thousand. There are five employees.
Are you able to send remittances?
Yeah, yes. I send minimum like 20, 25 thousand in a month.
Have you done this work before?
No, it's just my first time.
What do you think about while working?
I want to start more branches, so with that ambition, we try to improve customer service. We try to improve our food also, and probably we are going to be adding more staff.
What is your ideal job?
I can't say. Because whatever we are doing, we are happy with that. So I don't want anything else to do.
What do you think of the lifestyle in Delhi?
The lifestyle in Delhi is a bit hectic. And, moreover, it depends upon the person. So if you are a family member, you are more occupied with your family. If you are a bachelor, your life is like too fun. People just come hang around, drink.
Do you experience any discrimination in Delhi?
Until now, I haven't faced any. Because, I think if you are good with people, they are also good with you.
Will you one day go back to your hometown?
Yeah, of course, very soon.
To live, live forever?
Yeah. I'll be going back, probably within 2, 3 years. I'm planning to go back and start my own [business] there. Because here if you earn also, like we can't save more. Because the rent is too much, expenses are too much. It’s forty thousand for this shop. Electricity is different and staff, labor. Back home, its our own place and everything is convenient. And we can save also, and the house rent is different. It's like working for these jat people, giving them rent everywhere.
In your opinion, why do [people come to Delhi]?
After graduation, probably. This is the capital and they see people coming home after working here – earning – so they will get attracted to that life. And they will also go and earn something. And, moreover, the job opportunities are less back home. So, people come to Delhi, being the capital city and a good home.