A delivery executive for Blinkit, whose video about his meagre daily earnings recently went viral online, received a personal lunch invitation from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament Raghav Chadha. The meeting, held on 22 December, came after the Rajya Sabha MP highlighted the critical issue of 'invisible labour' in India's gig economy on the floor of Parliament.
Parliamentary Spotlight on 'Invisible Wheels of the Economy'
Raising the matter in Parliament, Raghav Chadha pointed to the unseen workforce behind everyday app-based services. "Every day, we press a button on our mobile phone app and a notification arrives: 'Your order is on its way'. Behind this notification, there is often a person whom we do not acknowledge," Chadha stated. He specifically mentioned delivery personnel working for platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy, Zomato, Ola Zepto, Uber, and service providers for Urban Company.
The MP underscored their harsh working conditions, noting they deliver in all weather without protective gear or hazardous allowances. He emphasized that these workers, often the sole breadwinners for their families, deserve care and recognition. "In official language, they are called gig workers. But, I call them the invisible wheels of the Indian economy," Chadha added, framing the national conversation around their welfare.
The Viral Video That Caught an MP's Attention
The catalyst for this interaction was a video created by the delivery boy, who hails from Uttarakhand and runs an Instagram channel named Thapliyal Ji Vlogs. Despite having a modest following of just 287 YouTube subscribers and 1,275 Instagram followers, his content struck a chord. In the viral clip, he revealed that he earned only ₹763 after completing 28 deliveries in nearly 15 hours of work.
His narrative brought serious concerns like low income, excessively long hours, and the absence of social security for app-based delivery workers into sharp public focus. The video highlighted the growing chasm between the effort expended and the earnings received in the sector, prompting widespread discussion.
An 'Unpredictable' Meeting and Ground Realities
The delivery boy initially thought the invitation was a prank. In his video, he and his partner were even unsure about how to dress for the occasion. The meeting, however, turned out to be a significant event. In an Instagram post afterwards, the vlogger described it as a conversation where "the real problems of delivery riders were discussed without drama and without filters."
He expressed his amazement at the turn of events, calling the meeting "unpredictable" and stating, "I never imagined that one viral video would take me this far." He recounted his experience with Chadha, noting, "The best thing is that he never let me feel that he is an MP. He sat and talked like a normal person, ate food together and listened to the ground reality carefully."
For him, this was "not just a meeting" but a "big responsibility" and the "biggest achievement" of his life. He framed it as a powerful voice for riders that can no longer be ignored.
Social Media Applauds the Engagement
The interaction drew positive reactions on social media, with users praising Raghav Chadha for his initiative. One Instagram user commented, "Please keep up the good work, sir!! You are our hope who brings up real issues in the parliament...but concrete action is the need of the hour." Others described him as a "nice, humble gentleman," a "sensitive person," and "down-to-earth." The public response highlighted a demand for tangible policy actions to follow the high-level discussion, pointing to the ongoing national debate about formalizing rights and protections for India's vast gig workforce.
