So they take refuge in their cheap China-made smartphones, mostly encased in plastic, shutting themselves off from their problems, plunging themselves into the virtual world.
The occasional chuckle from the youngsters and the sound leaking from ear plugs give some hint about the source of entertainment - mostly video clips of Bollywood flicks, regional albums or comedy clips.
Prince Parmar is on one such bus, travelling to Gandhidham, a town in Kutch district, from Patan town.
"And they deduct half the salary if you take even three days off," Parmar, a Dalit, says.
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While sharing his angst and frustration, Parmar suddenly asks this reporter, "How much do you earn? What did you study?"
As Gujarat prepares to vote in the second and last phase of the election on December 14, Parmar's question takes on added import, reflecting not just the many worries of youth in the state but also sending out a message for parties competing for power.
Koradiya Wasimbhai Mehbubbhai, a resident of Radhanpore's Jain Boarding locality, drops in at the makeshift poll office of the Congress with two of his friends.
Mehbub says he finished school and underwent vocational training at an ITI (Industrial Training Institute).
When a local Congress worker interjects saying he is now doing sundry jobs to eke out a living, the 20-year-old snaps.
"What he is saying is not true. I am looking for a good job," Mehbub says, his voice choking with anguish and a sense of shame.
Minutes later, Mehbub, in a manner nearly identical to Parmar, inquires about this correspondent's job profile, qualifications and salary.
"Did they also pay you separately for this trip over and above the salary? Do they have entrance exams for the job?" Mehbub asks.
En route to Patan's Sami tehsil, Deepakbhai Devipujak, a resident of the district's Baspa village, pulls out his China-made tablet to show images of devastation caused by the July 2017 floods in his area.
Deepak says he will pursue a law degree, in accordance with his farmer father's wish. However, only reservations can ensure a government job that can secure his future, he affirms.
"Our caste numbers around 1.5 crore across the country. We are listed as Backward Castes by the Gujarat government. But we want reservations to end the discrimination against us and ensure our proper representation in the government," he says.
The Devipujak community, listed among the Nomadic Tribes and Denotified Tribes in Gujarat, fall in the OBC category. But they have been demanding a separate quota within the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs as they are too marginalised to compete with other groups.
These voices have little presence in the prevailing political discourse of the state, saddled by raging debates on wild conspiracy theories and a heady dose of religious polarisation.
The Patidar agitation for reservations, led by Hardik Patel, reflected similar frustration even among the youth of the landed Patel community.
According to the RBI's handbook of statistics, Gujarat's growth driven by capital-intensive industries has not generated adequate amount of jobs, and in recent years the rate of manufacturing output has steadily fallen.
Will Gujarat's youth make their presence felt in this election? Counting day on December 18 should provide some answers.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content