Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 5: Sharat Kumar from Kodman village, Bantwal taluk in Dakshina Kannada district was working as an electrician at Qatar. He had planned to settle down with parents and run some self-employment business after performing the marriage of his sister. Lockdown provided him with a perfect opportunity to implement the plan.

Sharat, on his return from abroad in December 2019, planned to operate a mobile canteen. He also acquired a second hand Maruti Omni van costing Rs 60,000 for this purpose. By then the government announced lockdown. He had spent whatever money he had by then. He saw that several shops in his town had closed down one after the other. He saw that there was no provision to operate a mobile canteen. He also observed that many people were finding it hard to go out and bring vegetables. The idea of going to the doorsteps of customers with vegetables appealed to him.

Sharat finds new routes to sell his vegetables every day. His friends have joined hands with him in this business. As the business is running well, he does not regret the change in profession. He says that even in the second wave of coronavirus, his business is running properly. Sharat's self-confidence has got a shot in the arm as he could settle down in his home village and also find an employment that supports him and his family.

Sharat buys vegetables not only from Mangaluru but also Hassan and Chikkamagaluru on a large scale. He has been able to clear the loan raised for performing his sister's marriage. After operating his vegetable business till the afternoon, he works as electrician. Sharat is pleased that he could make his parents happy by settling down here, and also for the fact that he is able to earn well.