Aditya Roy/AI-Generated Image
Deepak, a 32-year-old IT professional, seems to have a picture-perfect life. He earns a handsome salary of Rs 2 lakh per month, lives in his own house, drives a good car and enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his parents, wife and a three-year-old daughter. However, behind this rosy picture lies a struggle that only a few are aware of. The hidden burden As the sole breadwinner, Deepak feels the weight of responsibilities. Monthly EMIs for a home loan, car loan and a personal loan borrowed for a health emergency, eat up a big slice of his income. Then come his daughter’s playschool fees, household expenses and the usual outflows, meaning his salary often feels spent the moment it arrives. While he’s managing the present — including school fees — the thought of his daughter’s higher education makes him anxious. The wake-up call The turning point came during a casual conversation with a friend who works as an education consultant. “If you’re aiming for a good college and postgrad for your daughter,” Deepak’s friend said, “you’re looking at something close to Rs 1 crore these days.” “A crore? I thought maybe half of that
This article was originally published on July 01, 2025.






