While many graduates seek conventional corporate or public sector employment, a young entrepreneur in Chhattisgarh has taken a different route by revitalising his family food business. Pokhan Lal Sahu, a resident of Nipani village in Balod district, chose to expand his ancestral street food trade rather than searching for an office job after completing his Bachelor of Commerce degree. Today, his mobile food setup has established a steady customer base across several rural and semi-urban markets in the region.
Taking Over the Family Trade 11 Years Ago
The street food initiative was originally founded by Pokhan Lal Sahus father. Around 11 years ago, Pokhan assumed full operational responsibility for the enterprise. Although he had completed his higher education in commerce, he saw sustainable long-term potential in expanding the existing family business rather than pursuing employment elsewhere. Over the last decade, he gradually scaled the operations by introducing efficiency and catering to changing local preferences.
Investing One Lakh Rupees to Build a Mobile Setup
To differentiate his venture from regular static roadside stalls and expand his customer outreach, Pokhan purchased an old auto rickshaw. He invested in modifying the vehicle into a fully functional, mobile chaat unit. The total expenditure, including the acquisition of the vehicle and its custom fabrication, amounted to approximately 1 lakh rupees. This mobile model allows him to travel seamlessly between different village markets without being tied down to a single rented space.
Signature 20-Rupee Fry Chaat and Daily Operations
The mobile cart specialises in chaat and gupchup, drawing steady footfall throughout the day. His signature offering is a distinctive fry chaat, priced at 20 rupees per plate. To make this dish, the key ingredients are thoroughly fried before being assembled into chaat, creating a specific texture and flavour profile that sets it apart from conventional street snacks. Operating daily from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM across four to five neighbouring weekly markets, the venture generates daily earnings exceeding 3,000 rupees.
