A 21-year-old graduate, who spent almost £100,000 (about Rs 1 crore) on his UK education, says the job market is “broken” after applying for 500 jobs without securing a single offer.Khalid Sharif, who graduated top in his class in digital media technology from Kingston University near London in 2025, has received less than 20 interview calls so far and remains unemployed despite his academic performance. New York Post Informed.Sharif described the experience as “really stressful”, saying, “I graduated top of my class, but I didn’t get anything.”Sharif, who was born in Egypt and grew up in Qatar before moving to Britain at the age of 18, hoped studying in Britain would open up global career opportunities.Instead, he says he has been forced to expand his search beyond his field into sales and other roles that don’t interest him.

‘Flooded’ job market, less openness

He believes that the graduate job market is overly saturated. “The system is flooded with applicants,” he said, adding that companies are also hiring less due to cost pressures, post-pandemic uncertainty and increased use of AI tools.According to him, though he can easily get a job in a supermarket, he wants to work in the field for which he has studied.Despite securing interviews, Sharif says the results were disappointing. “They say I passed the first round, but I got rejected after the second round,” he said.In one instance, he passed several rounds at a multinational tech firm, only to be told that the graduate program had been scrapped.Visa confusion escalates conflictsSharif also believes that his international background may work against him. Although he lives in the UK through his mother and does not need work sponsorship, he says recruiters may think otherwise because of his education history in Qatar.“They probably think I need sponsorship and don’t read the entire application,” he said.

Freelancing, the startup route after struggling to find a job

Not finding full-time opportunities, Sharif has continued to work as a freelance videographer and photographer – skills he developed during college.Reflecting on his education, he admitted that most of his practical knowledge came from real-world experience rather than classroom learning. “To be honest, I didn’t learn much at university. Most of it was YouTube and volunteering,” he said.He now regrets not choosing filmmaking earlier, but says he put it off due to fear of limited job prospects.He said, “I wish I had done filmmaking, but I thought the opportunities would be limited.”

Launched a clothing brand

Sharif has now started her own clothing label, Zoque, which means “my style” in Arabic, combining her interests in fashion and photography.He says the experience has been discouraging but not so discouraging as to give up completely. “More opportunities have to be created,” he said, adding that many other graduates were facing similar struggles in the UK job market.

Here are the top 5 news of the day

ATF prices: ‘Indian airline industry on verge of shutting down operations,’ says FIA; Demand for government intervention

“The airline industry in India is under extreme stress and is on the verge of closure or closure of operations.” This serious warning has been issued by the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which represents Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, in an “urgent” SOS sent to the government, seeking the latter’s “immediate intervention” in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) pricing. Read the full story

‘If he is Singham, I am Pushpa’: TMC protests over UP-cadre IPS Ajay Pal Sharma’s warning against voter intimidation

A political controversy erupted in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas following protests by TMC supporters over alleged threat by election observer Ajay Pal Sharma ahead of the second phase of voting. TMC candidate Jahangir Khan said, “This is Bengal; if he is ‘Singham’, I am ‘Pushpa’. No intimidation or coercion of any kind by BJP-appointed police officers will be allowed here.” Read the full story

Gujarat civic polls: BJP wins all 15 corporations, crosses 50% vote share across the board

BJP won a landslide victory in all 15 municipal corporations. In the home turf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the saffron party crossed the 50% mark in every corporation. Voting took place on Sunday for civic elections, which include 15 municipal corporations, 84 municipalities, 34 district panchayats and 260 taluka panchayats. Read the full story

Greece: Gunman opens fire at Social Security office and court; Police are searching for 89-year-old suspect

An 89-year-old man reportedly armed with a shotgun wounded a worker at a Social Security office in Athens before he opened fire in a court, wounding several more people. Police are actively searching for the suspect, the motive behind the attacks is unknown at this time. Read the full story

IS inspired attack in Maharashtra: CM Fadnavis said, ‘The suspect had a desire to attack Hindus.’

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Thane stabbing incident was being investigated as a possible “lone wolf” case of self-radicalisation, with agencies probing any wider conspiracy. Police said the accused, Jaber Zubair Ansari, allegedly asked the guards about their religion and forced one of them to recite an Islamic kalma before attacking him. Read the full story

श्री वैश्य कुटुम्ब सेवा समिति द्वारा मुजफ्फरनगर शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में एक प्रेरक कदम उठाते हुए तीन जरूरतमंद बच्चों को गोद लिया गया है और उनकी पूरी शैक्षणिक जिम्मेदारी ली गई है। इस पहल के तहत बच्चों की पूरे साल की फीस स्कूल प्रबंधन को सौंपी गई, जबकि उनकी माताओं को स्कूल परिसर में ही यूनिफॉर्म और स्टेशनरी की व्यवस्था की गई. यह सहयोग न सिर्फ आर्थिक मदद है, बल्कि सामाजिक जिम्मेदारी और मानवीय संवेदना की मिसाल भी बनकर उभरा है। 🌹

सत्र 2026-27 के लिए पूरे वर्ष की फीस स्कूल को सौंप दी गई

समिति द्वारा प्रदेश संयोजक पवन सिंघल के मार्गदर्शन में अंतिम दिन हुआ कुँवर जगदीश प्रसाद सनातन धर्म जूनियर हाई स्कूल में अध्ययनरत तीन बच्चों को शिक्षा सहयोग योजना के तहत गोद लिया गया। इससे पहले भी पिछले सत्र की छह माह की फीस समिति द्वारा वहन की जा चुकी है.

वर्तमान शैक्षणिक सत्र 2026-27 के लिए बच्चों की पूरे वर्ष की फीस, विद्यालय प्रबंधन समिति के सदस्य साधुराम गर्ग विद्यालय परिसर में ही औपचारिक रूप से सौंपा गया। इस मौके पर मौजूद लोगों ने इसे समाज के लिए अनुकरणीय पहल बताया.

स्टेशनरी और वर्दी का खर्च भी परिवार को सौंप दिया गया।

कार्यक्रम के दौरान बच्चों की आवश्यक स्टेशनरी एवं यूनिफार्म के लिए निर्धारित राशि सीधे उनकी माताओं को प्रदान की गई। इससे यह सुनिश्चित हुआ कि किसी भी वित्तीय बाधा के कारण बच्चों की शिक्षा प्रभावित न हो।

समिति के पदाधिकारियों ने स्पष्ट किया कि शिक्षा केवल फीस भरने तक ही सीमित नहीं है, बल्कि इससे संबंधित सभी आवश्यक संसाधनों की उपलब्धता भी उतनी ही महत्वपूर्ण है।

पिता की मृत्यु के बाद परिवार कठिन परिस्थितियों से गुजर रहा था।

समिति द्वारा गोद लिए गए तीन बच्चे कक्षा 4, 6 और 8 में पढ़ते हैं और मित्तल परिवार से हैं। पिछले साल पिता की मौत के बाद परिवार आर्थिक संकट से गुजर रहा था और बच्चों की पढ़ाई प्रभावित होने का डर बढ़ गया था.

ऐसे समय में समिति का सहयोग परिवार के लिए बड़ी राहत बनकर आया। स्थानीय लोगों ने भी इस पहल की सराहना की और इसे सामाजिक संवेदनशीलता का उदाहरण बताया.

समिति पदाधिकारियों ने स्वयं आर्थिक सहयोग कर अपनी जिम्मेदारी निभाई।

कार्यक्रम में मौजूद संस्था के पदाधिकारियों ने व्यक्तिगत रूप से आर्थिक सहयोग किया और रसीदें बच्चों की माताओं को सौंपी गईं। यह सहयोग न केवल औपचारिक था बल्कि व्यक्तिगत भागीदारी का भी प्रतीक था।

यह पहल मुख्य रूप से प्रवीण गुप्ता, रोहिताश कर्णवाल, विनीत गर्ग, पवन सिंघल, शैलेन्द्र कर्णवाल, पीयूष गोयल, इंदु अग्रवाल, निधि अग्रवाल, -विपिन गुप्ता और श्रेय मित्तल सहित अन्य साथियों ने योगदान दिया।

इस अवसर पर सभी सहयोगी उपस्थित रहे और इस सामाजिक पहल के प्रत्यक्ष साक्षी बने।

कार्यक्रम जिले के पदाधिकारियों के नेतृत्व में संपन्न हुआ

कार्यक्रम का नेतृत्व जिला कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष ने किया अजय गर्ग वहीं कार्यक्रम के समापन समारोह में जिला महासचिव मो शैलेन्द्र कर्णवाल उपस्थित सभी सहयोगियों एवं सदस्यों का आभार व्यक्त किया।

कार्यक्रम में विद्यालय प्रभारी सहित वरिष्ठ पत्रकारों ने भाग लिया। संजय अग्रवाल की गरिमामयी उपस्थिति भी रही, जिससे आयोजन को विशेष महत्व मिला।

शिक्षा सहयोग की यह पहल समाज के लिए प्रेरणा बनी।

समिति की इस पहल ने यह संदेश दिया कि सामूहिक प्रयासों से जरूरतमंद परिवारों के बच्चों की शिक्षा सुनिश्चित की जा सकती है। सामाजिक संगठनों की ऐसी सक्रिय भागीदारी शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में सकारात्मक बदलाव लाने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाती है।

स्थानीय नागरिकों और समाज के विभिन्न वर्गों ने इस कदम की सराहना की और आशा व्यक्त की कि भविष्य में भी इसी तरह के सहयोगात्मक कार्यक्रम जारी रहेंगे।

जरूरतमंद बच्चों की शिक्षा की जिम्मेदारी लेने की श्री वैश्य कुटुंब सेवा समिति की यह पहल सामाजिक एकता, संवेदनशीलता और सहयोग की भावना को मजबूत करने के लिए एक मिसाल बनकर उभरी है। ऐसे प्रयास न केवल बच्चों का भविष्य सुरक्षित करते हैं, बल्कि समाज में शिक्षा के महत्व को एक नई दिशा भी प्रदान करते हैं। 🌹

Times Business Awards Odisha 2026, an initiative of Optimal Media Solutions, a division of The Times of India, brought together an impressive mix of business leaders, entrepreneurs and policy makers. The evening reflected the momentum of a state steadily emerging as a hub of enterprise, innovation and industrial progress.Chief guest Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in his keynote address, highlighted Odisha’s transformation from a resource-driven economy to a knowledge-driven and manufacturing-based growth engine. He emphasized that entrepreneurs and wealth creators are at the center of building a self-reliant India. Referring to India’s growing economy, he underlined the role of digital infrastructure, innovation and young workforce in driving growth. Describing Odisha as a land of ‘possibilities and positivity’, he pointed to its mineral power, connectivity and talent pool and positioned it as a key pillar in the Purvodaya vision.

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The evening also saw strong participation from industry voices highlighting collaboration, MSME growth and sustainability while recognizing the individuals and organizations shaping Odisha’s growing business ecosystem.This spirit of cooperation and leadership extends to all sectors, with each sector making a unique contribution to the development of the state.

Entrepreneur, Professional and Leadership

At the heart of Odisha’s growth story are individuals whose leadership continues to inspire enterprise and innovation.

food and agriculture sector

Manufacturing, Industrial and Core Sectors

The industrial backbone of Odisha is growing with organizations enhancing scale, efficiency and global competitiveness.

Education and Institutional Excellence

Education remains the cornerstone of Odisha’s development, with institutions focusing on holistic and future-ready education.

Real estate and infrastructure

Odisha’s urban transformation is being shaped by developers and infrastructure leaders focused on quality, sustainability and long-term value creation.

Logistics, Technology and Emerging Innovations

Innovation based enterprises are playing a vital role in building the future ready economy of Odisha.

Retail, lifestyle and consumer brands

Odisha’s consumer landscape is evolving with brands that combine heritage, design and modern retail experiences.

Hospitality, Media and Services

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The services sector reflects Odisha’s growing aspirations in lifestyle, tourism and cultural identity.

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The awards are based on a structured, objective research process where participants submit factual data on performance and achievements, which is evaluated through a merit-based framework.Comment:The survey was conducted by an independent agency, and the publication takes no responsibility for the results. Readers are advised to exercise discretion.Disclaimer: The above content is non-editorial, and TIL disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, related to it, and does not guarantee, endorse, or necessarily endorse any content.