Tired of 9-to-5, PhD scholar turns Rapido rider, reveals burnout and reality..

Deepak Pandey, a PhD scholar with a corporate job, said he began riding for Rapido after work to break the monotony. His Instagram video has sparked debate over side gigs, ambition and the risk of burnout.

In Short

• Pandey said routine office life left him exhausted, unmotivated and unfulfilled
• He enrolled for a PhD and began creating content online
• His Instagram video prompted users to share their own side-hustle experiences

You must have heard stories of people walking away from conventional careers. Some leave corporate jobs to start businesses. Others return to their villages to take up farming. Many try their hand at content creation. Amid these changing ideas of work, a young PhD scholar has chosen a different path.

Frustrated with the routine of a 9-to-5 job, Deepak Pandey decided to do something that would break the monotony. He began working as a Rapido bike taxi rider after office hours and now earns over Rs 600–700 a day. On days when he rides full-time, his earnings can go up to Rs 1500. What began as a way to clear his mind soon became part of his daily routine.

Today, after finishing his corporate job, Pandey rides passengers across the city, works on his doctoral research, cooks his own meals, edits videos, and creates content for social media. He documents much of this journey on Instagram through his account, @trippypandey03.

According to him, the change has brought more satisfaction than the routine he once followed.

In the video, Pandey spoke about a phase when he felt exhausted at the end of every working day. Despite having a stable job, he said he often felt unmotivated and stuck in a cycle that offered little fulfilment.

"After a 9-to-5 job, tiredness is often just an excuse. When your dreams are big, your feet don't give up even at 11 pm, they press the accelerator harder. Office, bike taxi, cooking, and PhD, this is my story. What's your excuse? Step out of your comfort zone and start today," he wrote alongside the video.

The turning point came when he decided to stop allowing fear to shape his choices. Fear of failure, fear of judgement and fear of stepping into unfamiliar territory had prevented him from trying new things for years, he said.

Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity, he enrolled in a PhD programme, began working as a bike taxi rider during evenings and started creating content online.

Over time, he realised he was capable of doing more than he had imagined.

THE MESSAGE RESONATED WITH MANY VIEWERS

Several users shared their own experiences of balancing jobs with side hustles. Some said Pandey's story inspired them to use their free time more productively rather than abandoning their existing careers altogether.

One user commented, "Brother, getting inspired by you, I am also doing Rapido along with a 9-to-5 job and I am very happy that I am earning something."

Another user wrote, "Brother, you are working very hard. We all pray that you move ahead."

A third added, "More power to you brother, keep growing."

At the same time, not everyone viewed the story through the same lens.

While many praised his determination, others raised concerns about whether such a demanding schedule could be sustained over a long period. Some users pointed to the possibility of physical exhaustion and mental burnout, arguing that constant productivity should not become a new standard for success.

Pandey's story has struck a chord because it sits at the intersection of these changing attitudes. It is not merely about a PhD scholar driving a bike taxi after office hours. It is also about a generation trying to redefine what work means, how time should be spent and where fulfilment can be found.

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