It’s quick bucks for girl guides

NEW DELHI: The annual India International Trade Fair, besides being a treat for shoppers, is also an occasion for the young to earn some fast money as guides.
The preparations for recruitment are elaborate, beginning with newspaper advertisements in May and June. Over the years, the concept of earning money as girl guides has been accepted, even in traditional middle-class homes.Smita Bhargava, a homemaker in Noida, was a guide at a state stall six years back. She said:
‘‘I remember we used to be excited about the trade fair, simply because of the money. In college, when even Rs 100 was prized, you can imagine how it was to earn thousands in 14 days. Private companies paid even more.’’
General manager (protocol and security) H S Khan said: ‘‘We advertise in newspapers around May and June for our ITPO stalls. The job is popular among college girls and we get thousands of applications every year.’’
‘‘The girls are paid Rs 500 per day and given two silk saris. They work in two shifts, from 9 am to 2 pm and 1 pm to 8 pm, and those who stay for the second shift are given free lunch coupons and get dropped home at night,’’ he said.
Manjari Pillai’s daughter has been a guide at the trade fair twice. ‘‘Initially, we were quite apprehensive. Mostly we were worried about her safety in front of unruly crowds. If that is assured, we have no problems. Also children get a taste of earning money.’’
Similar thoughts are put forward by Bhargava. She has read reports of inadequate safety measures and rowdy elements going unchecked at times. ‘‘If only the security and police were more sensitive to eve-teasing incidents,’’ she said.
Asked if girls were preferred to boys, Khan denied any bias. He said: ‘‘There is no preference. The two have jobs earmarked for them. Boys are recruited as field assistants and for public relations jobs.’’
Denying any major change in the nature of work, Khan said: ‘‘A few years back when I joined, they were paid about Rs 100. Now they take away Rs 500.’’