In the heart of Bengaluru, a Microsoft engineer reportedly found an unconventional way to combat loneliness. On weekends, this engineer swaps coding for cruising, driving an auto-rickshaw to connect with people and alleviate the isolation that comes with his high-tech job. The sight of a Microsoft hoodie-clad rickshaw driver quickly went viral, sparking a lively debate on social media.
Venkatesh Gupta, who posted the picture on X, captioned it - "Met a 35-year-old staff software engineer at Microsoft in Koramangala driving Namma Yatri to combat loneliness on weekends." The post garnered over 354,000 views and a flood of responses. Some users expressed empathy for the engineer, pointing out the modern struggle of maintaining interpersonal bonds in our fast-paced, stress-filled lives.
This is not the first time a tech professional has turned to gig work for solace. Another reports earlier surfaced where a techie from Hindustan Computers Limited (HCL) was seen driving a Rapido bike taxi, networking for job opportunities after a layoff. These stories highlight a critical issue: Are tech companies doing enough to support the mental and emotional well-being of their employees?
Loneliness is more than just an emotional state; it's a silent killer. According to Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, loneliness is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and more lethal than consuming six alcoholic drinks daily. It's linked to severe health issues like strokes, heart disease, dementia, inflammation, and even suicide. The modern epidemic of loneliness is so severe that most Americans now report experiencing it.
Our lives have become so job-obsessed that we often find ourselves lying in bed at night, wide-eyed and terrified of the future. Especially for those who flock to big cities, thinking the metro life will fill the void of loneliness, reality hits hard. At the end of the day, you're still alone—in a sea of people, no less. It's like being the only fish who forgot how to swim in a crowded aquarium.
Loneliness isn't just a whisper in the dark; it's a loud, uninvited guest that crashes into our minds, turning our thoughts into a haunted house. In times like these, we crave company—parents, siblings, loved ones, friends, even the chatty neighbour. But let's face it - the world is like a high-stakes game of musical chairs, and everyone is too busy scrambling for their own seat to notice you're standing alone.
In this ferocious world, everyone's so busy fighting for themselves that no one has the time or inclination to battle your loneliness for you. So, what's a solitary soul to do? Maybe it's time to think outside the box—or in this case, outside the cubicle. Whether it's driving a rickshaw on weekends or picking up a quirky new hobby, finding creative ways to connect might just be the lifeline we need in this wild, wonderful, and sometimes woeful world.
But all hope is not lost. Countries like Britain have taken pioneering steps by appointing a minister for loneliness in 2018. This role oversees various public-private partnerships that bring people together through programs like nature walks, songwriting workshops, and community cleanups. Japan has followed suit, appointing its own minister for loneliness, while Sweden's minister for social affairs tackles the issue aggressively. These initiatives recognize that social isolation likely kills more people annually than violence and terrorism, while also costing the public heavily in unnecessary health expenses.
The data is clear - Building social connections can drastically improve survival rates. A review of 148 studies concluded that strong social ties boost an individual's chance of surviving the next seven years by about 50 percent.
So, while it may seem odd to see a Microsoft engineer driving an auto-rickshaw, it's a creative and proactive approach to a widespread problem. Perhaps it's time for companies and governments alike to take a page from Bengaluru's book and find innovative ways to foster connection and combat loneliness. After all, a friendly chat in the back of a rickshaw might just be the heart-to-heart connection we all need.
(The author is the DIG (Admin & STF), Assam. All views and opinions expressed in the article are the author’s own.)