Dr Sandeep Singh, a 39-year-old PhD scholar of Punjab, has embarked on an unexpected journey from the realms of academia to the streets as a vegetable seller
Behind the humble board that reads ‘Ph.D. Sabzi Wala’ lies a story of challenges faced by Dr. Sandeep Singh.
Who is Dr Sandeep Singh of Punjab selling vegetables despite having PhD degree, biography, story and education
age 39 Dr. Sandeep Singh, a highly educated man from Punjab holds not one but four Master’s degrees and a PhD, specializing in areas as diverse as Punjabi, journalism, and political science. For 11 years, he served as a contractual faculty member in the law department at Patiala’s Punjabi University and left his job due to financial hardships and not being paid on time.
Singh also revealed that he earns more money by selling vegetables than he did as a professor and sells vegetables on his cart and studies for his upcoming exam after going back home. There’s a board on his cart which reads “PhD Sabzi Wala” and Singh switched his job to a vegetable vendor so that he can save money and open his own tuition centre one day.
Punjab man with a PhD and 4 Master's degrees is now selling vegetables
Dr Sandeep Singh taught at a Punjabi University for over a decade. He now runs a vegetable cart with a board saying 'PhD Sabzi Wala'. pic.twitter.com/LqT1XgDYeo
— Deadly Law (@DeadlyLaw) January 2, 2024
With his vegetable cart and a board saying "PhD Sabzi Wala", Dr. Sandeep Singh goes home to home every day to sell vegetables. He says he earns more money by selling vegetables than he did as a professor. After a full day of work, he goes back home and studies for his exam. pic.twitter.com/AI4X0IkBgd
— Lorenzo¡ (@Oficiallorenzo) January 2, 2024
However, his journey took an unforeseen turn as financial hardships and irregularities in salary payments forced him to bid farewell to his teaching career.
Dr. Sandeep Singh shared, “I had to leave the job because I didn’t get my salary on time and there was frequent pay cut.That’s why I switched to selling vegetables for the survival of me and my family.” This decision, marked by the resilience to adapt, highlights the stark challenges faced by even the most qualified individuals in certain employment scenarios.
Every day, Dr. Singh dons his entrepreneurial spirit, selling vegetables door-to-door with a sign that proudly declares ‘Ph.D. Sabzi Wala.’ Surprisingly, he reveals that this unconventional venture brings in more income than his tenure as a professor did. The streets, once adorned with academic robes, now witness the hustle of a vegetable vendor who hasn’t given up on his dreams.
He taught at Punjabi University – five years on a JRF (junior research fellowship) and seven years as a guest faculty and in June this year he quit teaching as it became difficult for him and his family to survive on that salary.
Sandeep Singh is currently pursuing B.Lib (Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences) from Lovely Professional University.
Despite the hardships, Dr. Sandeep Singh returns home after a day of selling vegetables to immerse himself in his studies. With an unwavering commitment to his passion for education, he continues to prepare for tests and examinations. It’s a testament to his dedication that, even in the midst of financial struggles, the flame of learning continues to burn bright within him.
Dr. Singh’s story is not just one of adversity but also of hope and ambition. While he may have taken a hiatus from formal teaching, he harbors aspirations of opening his tuition center one day. The dream to share knowledge and contribute to education remains a beacon, propelling him forward amidst the challenges of his current reality.
In a society where academic qualifications often define one’s status, Dr. Sandeep Singh challenges stereotypes by embracing his new role as a vegetable seller without compromising his intellectual pursuits. His journey reminds us that education transcends traditional boundaries and that passion and determination can illuminate even the darkest corners.
Dr. Sandeep Singh’s journey teaches us that one’s commitment to knowledge and dreams can withstand the toughest storms.