“Koi bhi kaam chota ya bada nahi hota hai, Choti ya Badi hoti hai Insan ki Soch.” These profound words said by a wise man changed the social structure for good. However, the latter part of the aforementioned sentence remains immortal in the society, though today, it is inflicted with prejudice.

If being a doctor or engineer brings a pride in the family, there are many other jobs that are being looked down upon. The inevitable factor remains the ‘returns’ it is endowed with.

Though the following jobs are underrated per se, they are the most integral part of our society and directly or indirectly, affect all of us.  Here is a list of the Most Thankless Jobs in India.

Farmer

 India being an agrarian economy still thinks of farming as the least preferred career choice, at least the middle class. The stereotyped definition of farmers, as not educated enough has more or less degraded their value more in the society.

They bring food on your plate, they feed us; yet they are the ones who get the most exploited by the middleman and die of hunger or commit suicide. It’s high time we show them some respect, if not most!

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Waiter

So they bring the delicious food on your table and a slight delay or mistake in food results in verbal taunts and intolerance from both the customers, as well as the managers. The umpteen hours of work, many a times result in under-payment and are usually under-tipped.

Cared to give a genuine smile to them when they bring food to you? Or have you ever made a waiter say Thank you to you after you have acknowledged their services? Think about it.

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Household Maid

She/ He are the only person in the world who can annoy or worry a woman! Jokes apart, more than 65% middle class working Indians employ the servant maids who not only clean the utensils, but also clean the entire house, mop the floors and sometimes, wash the clothes as well.

By the way, yours is not the only home she works at. She does the similar work in 3-4 houses (morning and evening) to earn enough to make both ends meet. You know what she gets in return from the house? Stale food; rarely do we serve them the same food that is being served in our plates at that time.

The constant nagging and cribbing that goes about if she dares to ask for a hike. Spend just one day cleaning yours and your family members’ utensils and you will know.

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Security Guard

Usually the ex-serviceman or at one point of time, have served in the army guard you and your house/office. While you sleep cozily in your bed, they stay awake braving the chilled nights or scorching heat for your safety. They do not have any allowance or any kind of insurance if anything were to happen, while on duty. They stand in their uniforms, with pride and smile no matter what.

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Sweepers

They work at nights, they work in mornings and always give to you a cleaners surrounding. Men and women, both clean the streets that Indians so unabashedly paint it with litter, spit, garbage, plastics and what not. You mess things up on the street, they clean it.

Just imagine if they were to go on strike for a week, would you go out and clean the area right outside your house, lest the entire neighborhood?

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Shoes Sales People

Don’t you wear your slippers by yourself? They are meant to be sales representatives who will find you the best pair of shoes for your liking, which fits. Their responsibility is not to touch your dirty shoes/feet. Even though they make take the usual position and ready to help you, please pleasantly decline. Many of them will be elder to you, so why let them touch your feet?

Even if they insist on doing it as a part of their job, it is your part to show them respect through your gestures.

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Wall Painters

One of the Bollywood films’s dialogue was-‘Talent is abundant in India but also, there is no value of the same.’ One of the most appropriate examples of this dialog is that of the wall painters. Such artistic skills and extremely talented bunch do not get the respect that they deserve. Most of them live on the streets or are paid in pennies.

The most famous illustrations of Bollywood posters and advertisements are drawn by them. If you see many public places and houses in Udaipur, they are adorned with beautiful miniature paintings and Mandana paintings. They are paid way less than the talent they are blessed with.

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Construction Laborers

Rajasthan is famous for its architectural beauty. The grand palaces and reflection of them are now seen in most of the houses. The work involves extreme stamina, physical energy and muscle power. Workers build their houses near the construction site, and in most cases, their entire family involves in the work.

At a meager wage, they work in the worst conditions for long hours. On top of this, the lack of concern by the management towards the workers/laborers is quite appalling. Not being a communist here, but the cases of uncertain death and accidents are huge in this line of business that is often covered with money.

The worst thing is that they are unable to fight for their own battle and their rights alone.

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Craftsmen

A designer creates a unique design and gives to the workers who bring the paper work into the actual piece- be it jewelry, clothes, shoes, bags or anything that includes craftsmanship. The retailers sell the items in AC showrooms whereas these craftsmen work in the unimaginable environment for elongated hours to bring to you the most exquisite piece.

What they receive at the end as wage does not even quantify for what talent that they possess. Applaud to these craftsmen for their artistry who are seldom appreciated.

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It is time we stop judging people based on their profession and income and show respect to them instead of how important they are to our society. This list is not created on the basis of income that they receive but of the task that they do that make a difference in our lives.

Note: The views are solely of the author. Any suggestion and comments are welcome.