The 350-Hour Reality Check For Dreamers In Kashmir

It began as an ordinary ride in an Uber Black. The car was spotless, the leather seats polished and the road smooth. But what turned the trip into a lesson I could not forget was the man behind the wheel.

He was in his forties, calm, professional, and attentive. By the time I stepped out of his car, I had received an economics class, a lecture on ethics, and a stark reminder of how the world now works.

The driver explained his world with precision. His company sets a minimum of 350 working hours every month. That means roughly 12 hours a day, every single day.

There are no Sundays, no festive breaks. A driver must complete at least 150 rides in that time. Fall short, and ₹4,000 is cut from his earnings.

For each ride above 150, he earns an extra ₹150. The more he drives, the more the math rewards him.

If he reaches 350 rides in a month, he surpasses expectations. The additional 200 rides bring him close to ₹30,000 more, making his monthly income hover around ₹45,000 or even ₹50,000.

It is a respectable amount, but one that comes at a steep cost: long days, no rest, constant driving through traffic, and the emotional stamina to greet every rider with patience.

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