From Microsoft to Russian Roads: Indian Engineer's Unexpected Career Shift

• Mukesh Mandal, a former Microsoft AI expert, is now cleaning roads in St. Petersburg, Russia, due to tech recession and layoffs.
• He earns approximately ₹1.1 lakh per month, significantly higher than an average Indian software engineer's starting salary.
• 16 other Indians, including engineers and architects, have joined him, leveraging Russia's severe labor shortage.
• The company provides free accommodation, food, protective clothing, and transportation, respecting cultural dietary preferences.
• Mukesh plans to save money for a year and return to India, emphasizing the dignity of labor regardless of the job.

Why It Matters: An Indian software engineer, formerly at Microsoft, finds high-paying work as a road cleaner in Russia.