The first thing Sayani Chatterjee of The Heritage School bought with her money was cat food — something she needed for the strays she looks after. For the Class XI student, it was a milestone.
“Earlier, I would feel guilty spending my parents’ money. Now that I earn, I can buy without feeling guilty. It's liberating,” she said. Sayani crochets. Now 17, she began the venture last year. What began as a meditative hobby soon turned into a small business. On her Instagram page, Sayani creates crochet flowers, custom models, clothing and more. “People loved my work and encouraged me to sell,” she said. Orders now come from Delhi and Mumbai too.
A part of what she makes goes towards feeding stray animals. Her initiative has also influenced peers.
For Nilima Dayal, a Class XII student of Our Lady Queen of the Missions School, Salt Lake, her money supports her passion. She teaches Nursery to Class I students. “The first thing I bought with my earnings was a flute. It feels good to manage my hobbies independently,” she said. Managing time was difficult initially, but now she is a pro.
Disha Chakravarty of Shri Shikshayatan School has been teaching Bengali online, six hours a week. “It is important for women to be financially sound,” said the Class XII student.
While some are teaching on the side, others are running their own business. Ujaan De Sarkar (Class XII) of Future Campus School, Sonarpur, runs an online bakery called The Haute Patisserie. “I bake brownies and cakes,” he said. He started during the last Durga Puja after selling out at a society exhibition. He only bakes on weekends. “I reinvest whatever I earn,” Ujaan said.
Educators, too, are taking note. Maryann Thorpe Smith, principal of Julien Day School, Howrah, sees merit in the trend.
“It is good for students to earn on the side, as it makes them more aware and responsible. However, balance is the key," she said.