From Coding to Cleaning: Why an Ex-Microsoft Indian Techie is Sweeping Streets in Russia for ₹1 Lakh

 In a world where software engineers are often associated with air-conditioned offices, high-end laptops, and Silicon Valley dreams, a startling story from the frosty streets of St. Petersburg, Russia, has grabbed headlines.

Meet Mukesh Mandal, a 26-year-old Indian software developer who claims to have worked with tech giants like Microsoft. Today, he isn’t debugging code or training AI models—he is sweeping snow and cleaning streets in Russia.

Here is the fascinating story of why a tech professional swapped his keyboard for a broom, earning ₹1.1 lakh per month.

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The Unlikely Career Pivot

Mukesh Mandal is part of a group of 17 Indian migrant workers recruited to fill a severe labor shortage in Russia. While many in his group come from diverse backgrounds—including former farmers, drivers, and wedding planners—Mukesh stands out because of his tech background.

In an interview with the Russian media outlet Fontanka, Mukesh explained, in halting English, that he is essentially a developer.

"I’ve mostly worked at companies like Microsoft and used new tools like AI, chatbots, GPT, and the like."

While it remains unclear if he was a direct employee of Microsoft or a vendor using their tools, his transition from high-tech software to manual labor is a stark contrast that has sparked a global debate on employment and the dignity of labor.

The Deal: ₹1 Lakh Salary + Perks

Why would a software engineer choose to sweep streets? The answer, as it often is, comes down to economics.

Mukesh and his colleagues are employed by Kolomyazhskoye, a road maintenance firm in St. Petersburg. The financial package is surprisingly competitive compared to many entry-to-mid-level jobs in India:

• Salary: 100,000 Rubles per month (approx. ₹1.1 Lakh).

• Accommodation: Fully paid housing provided by the company.

• Food: Meals are provided (with cultural preferences, like beef-free options, respected).

• Transport: Free transportation to and from the worksite.

• Support: The company handles all paperwork and providing protective winter gear.

For Mukesh, this is a calculated financial move. He plans to work for a year, save a significant amount of money, and then return to India.

"Work is God"

Perhaps the most striking part of Mukesh’s story is his attitude. In an era where job titles often define self-worth, Mukesh offers a refreshing perspective on the dignity of labor.

When asked why he chose this path over coding, he said:

"I'm Indian, and for an Indian, the job doesn't matter. Work is for God. You can work anywhere—in a toilet, on the street, anywhere. This is my job, my duty, and my responsibility, to do it as well as possible. That's all."

The Bigger Picture: Tech Crisis vs. Labor Shortage

Mukesh’s story highlights two simultaneous global trends:

1. The Tech Slowdown: With AI disruptions and layoffs in the tech sector, stability is becoming harder to find for some professionals.

2. Global Labor Crunch: Countries like Russia are facing massive shortages in manual labor (partly due to the ongoing conflict and demographic shifts), leading them to pay premiums for jobs that are locally unfilled.

Conclusion

Mukesh Mandal’s journey from "AI and Chatbots" to snow-shoveling in St. Petersburg is a reminder that career paths are rarely linear. Whether driven by necessity, adventure, or financial goals, his story challenges our perceptions of success. It proves that sometimes, the "dream job" is simply the one that puts food on the table and helps you build a future—no matter what the title says.