B’luru based Google techie explains why he quit ₹7.5 lakh-a-month job in UAE after just three months
Bengaluru: A Bengaluru-based product designer, now working with Google, has shared why he gave up a lucrative job in Abu Dhabi that paid him ₹7.5 lakh a month, just three months after joining. Advin Netto, who narrated his experience on Instagram, said the move was not about money but mindset and work culture.
Netto revealed that although it took him nearly five months to receive his UAE work visa, he realised soon after joining that the environment was not a fit for him. “In India, I’d gotten used to self-accountability… focusing on outcomes, not attendance. That flexibility didn’t exist there. If I don’t punch in at 9 AM, it’s a half-day loss,” he wrote.
He added that while the UAE excels in infrastructure and physical development, its digital product ecosystem remains young. “Money wasn’t the issue. Mindset was. Conversations around design thinking often met resistance,” Netto explained, adding that leadership roles were often assigned based on nationality rather than expertise, limiting genuine innovation.
Breaking down the financial aspect of his decision, he stated that his salary of 30,000 AED per month was remarkable, but his living expenditures in UAE were around 10,000 AED.
After his post went viral, it drew mixed reactions from social media users. Many professionals echoed his experience, pointing to rigid work hours and nationality-based hierarchies in several Middle Eastern workplaces. One user commented, “I used to work from 7:30 AM to 9 PM, six days a week, the pay depended entirely on your passport.” Another thanked Netto for sparking an open conversation about the realities of work culture in the region.
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Deepfakes significant threat to democracy: President Murmu
New Delhi (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said deepfake and misinformation were becoming significant threats to democracy and social harmony, and urged lawmakers to deliberate on this grave issue.
In her address to both Houses of Parliament, she said in view of the dangers arising due to misuse of AI, it is imperative to be serious on this issue.
"Deepfake, misinformation, and fake content are becoming significant threats to democracy, social harmony, and public trust. It is essential that all of you deliberate on this grave issue," the President said.
She called for cultivating innovation at the classroom level, and made a strong pitch for early exposure to science, technology and creative problem-solving in schools.
"Today, technology is evolving rapidly. As a result of this, the nature of jobs is also changing at a fast pace. Therefore, the National Education Policy has been designed to meet the needs of both, the present and the future," the President said.
She said right at the school level, children are being nurtured to have a mindset for technology and innovation.
"The Atal Innovation Mission is playing an effective role in this. So far, over one crore students across the country have benefitted from Atal Tinkering Labs," the President said, adding that the culture of research and development is also being promoted through Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
Murmu said one thousand ITIs were being made future-ready for upgrading the ITI network in the country.
"On this account, Rs 60,000 crore is being spent under the PM Setu Scheme. My government is preparing an industry-ready workforce for modern technology. So far, 60 thousand youth have been trained for the semiconductor industry. Ten lakh youth are being trained in the field of Artificial Intelligence," the President said.
