Raj grew up in Rajkot, Gujarat, where he completed college before getting married and starting his working life. Over the years, he worked in many different jobs, including selling household appliances and shoes and running a small snacks shop. These changes reflect his efforts to find a reliable way to support his family. He also described struggles with alcohol. In his words translated from Gujarati to English: 'Alcohol ruined me!'
After moving to Baroda, he spent many years working as the head of security for residential buildings.
Much of Raj's working life revolved around providing for his wife and two children. He worked to ensure that both children could pursue higher education, even when it meant prioritising their needs over his own financial security. His son's university education and his daughter's later 3 years at university were both moments of great pride for his family. As his children completed their education and became independent, his responsibilities gradually changed, leaving him and his wife living together in Baroda during his later working years.
In 2013, Raj moved to Mumbai with his wife to live with their son and retired from employment. He does not receive an employment-based pension and instead depends on bank-related arrangements and his son's financial support.
Raj's story shows that a long working life and years spent supporting a family do not automatically guarantee financial independence in retirement. His experience highlights the importance of retirement planning, especially for workers whose careers span multiple jobs and don't provide formal retirement benefits.