PRAYAGRAJ: This is net neutrality redefined. Shivam Gupta, 23, has no degree in computers or information technology. What he has is oodles of courage, and presence of mind, to beat the odds. The result is RCG Global Service — his mobile internet cafe being operated from a hand cart in Prayagraj. Unemployed after he lost his job at an automobile plant in Manesar three years ago, he is now also an ’employer’.
Shivam and his mobile cafe could be spotted in the areas around the regional transport office (RTO) in Naini area of the city and is a go to point for visitors coming here for their driving licence and in need of getting printouts of their documents. His internet café on wheels has become the talk of the town for his out of the box idea to earn a livelihood.
“After losing my job in Manesar, I had no work to do to meet my daily expenses. It had become very difficult for my family to survive. It was then that I came up with this idea of developing a mobile internet centre that runs on an inverter,” he says. He somehow collected Rs 55,000 and bought a ‘thela’ (hand cart) and other computer equipment to start his business.
This cafe now has a laptop, inverter, a printer, a keyboard, and a mouse apart from the wi-fi facility. Apart from taking out printouts of documents, he also helps aspirants of competitive examinations fill up forms. Some other add-on services are booking train tickets and transfering money. He now earns Rs 30,000-35000 per month and has given employment to another youth.
“After the death of my father in 2018, it was quite difficult for me and my family as he was the only breadwinner. After I lost my job, I opened a tea stall. But it did not work. So, I took a chance to open this mobile internet café as I have adequate knowledge of computers and online working despite having no professional degree or courses,” Shivam said.
He added “Now, I am able to take better care of my mother and sisters.”
Shivam and his mobile cafe could be spotted in the areas around the regional transport office (RTO) in Naini area of the city and is a go to point for visitors coming here for their driving licence and in need of getting printouts of their documents. His internet café on wheels has become the talk of the town for his out of the box idea to earn a livelihood.
“After losing my job in Manesar, I had no work to do to meet my daily expenses. It had become very difficult for my family to survive. It was then that I came up with this idea of developing a mobile internet centre that runs on an inverter,” he says. He somehow collected Rs 55,000 and bought a ‘thela’ (hand cart) and other computer equipment to start his business.
This cafe now has a laptop, inverter, a printer, a keyboard, and a mouse apart from the wi-fi facility. Apart from taking out printouts of documents, he also helps aspirants of competitive examinations fill up forms. Some other add-on services are booking train tickets and transfering money. He now earns Rs 30,000-35000 per month and has given employment to another youth.
“After the death of my father in 2018, it was quite difficult for me and my family as he was the only breadwinner. After I lost my job, I opened a tea stall. But it did not work. So, I took a chance to open this mobile internet café as I have adequate knowledge of computers and online working despite having no professional degree or courses,” Shivam said.
He added “Now, I am able to take better care of my mother and sisters.”