As part of a special series exploring the rise of India and China as global giants, the workers who fuel the growth of these economies speak out about their daily lives and the pressures they face.

Click on the text below to read more. You can also view the workers' video diaries by clicking on the links below each photograph:

Hu Xiuqing Sichuan Province "There are many opportunities here in Shanghai" Watch video diary M R Sorathia Nagor, Gujarat "Our business is farming. We don't know anything else" Watch video diary Kai Jiang Shanghai "New technology is becoming more important to China " Watch video diary

PatiRam Delhi "Construction work gives me a livelihood" Watch video diary Chen Xiaohau Xiao Kunshan "My parents farmed on this land all their lives" Watch video diary Prachi Notiyal Delhi "My ambition is to run an IT company of my own some day" Watch video diary