Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Assam Retail Job Drive Draws Crowds Amid Unemployment Debate
A new Vishal Mega Mart store is being built in Gogamukh, Assam.
People heard that the store was hiring sales workers and came with their CVs.
A video said almost 4,000 people gathered, but the company said the real number was much smaller.
The store usually needs about 25 to 40 workers.
The video said 30 people were hired.
Many applicants came from nearby villages, and some were graduates.
The store will open later in October, not on the day people gathered.
The crowd led many people online to discuss unemployment in India.
The company said local hiring banners may have made people think the store was opening immediately.
Hundreds of people gathered in Gogamukh, Assam, on 23 September to apply for sales jobs at a new Vishal Mega Mart.
A viral video claimed that nearly 4,000 applicants crowded the store’s basement with their CVs.
Vishal Mega Mart representatives said the number was certainly far below 4,000 but could not confirm the actual figure.
The store is expected to hire about 25 to 40 workers, while the video claimed that 30 people were selected.
The gathering prompted social media discussions about unemployment and the difficulty of finding jobs in India.
- Who
- Job seekers from Gogamukh and nearby villages, along with representatives of Vishal Mega Mart.
- What
- A large crowd gathered for applications to roughly 25 to 40 sales positions at a new store.
- When
- 23 September; the store is expected to open later in October.
- Where
- The basement of the planned Vishal Mega Mart store in Gogamukh, Assam.
- Why
- People responded to local hiring banners and sought employment at the upcoming store.
Crowd Signals Severe Job Shortage
Company Disputes Viral Scale
Number of applicants
Crowd Signals Severe Job Shortage
The viral video and social media posts portrayed nearly 4,000 people gathered for the recruitment drive.
Company Disputes Viral Scale
Vishal Mega Mart representatives said the crowd was certainly much smaller than 4,000, although they could not provide an exact number.
Meaning of the gathering
Crowd Signals Severe Job Shortage
Social media users described the scene as evidence that unemployment and the job market in India are worsening.
Company Disputes Viral Scale
The company said people came after hiring banners were posted locally, with some bringing relatives and expecting the store to open.
- Company
- Vishal Mega Mart
- Location
- Gogamukh, Assam
- Date of gathering
- 23 September
- Typical hiring need
- About 25 to 40 workers, depending on store size
- Qualification
- A 10th class certificate for the sales associate position
- Viral crowd claim
- Nearly 4,000 people
- Company assessment
- Representatives said the actual number was certainly far below 4,000