Selling vegetables transformed this young man’s life

Team Udayavani, Oct 21, 2020, 6:25 PM IST

Bantwal: A young man from here who was pursuing an electrician career in an Arab country returned and became a sought after vegetable seller.

Sarathkumar had worked in Qatar for almost 5 years as an electrician. On visiting his hometown in July 2019 for his sister’s wedding, he started thinking of starting a business. But he left after he was pressured to return to work in Qatar.

After working there for another four and a half months, he returned again in December and started working on his old plan.

Based on the advice on many friends and relatives he decided to start a mobile canteen. He bought a Maruti Omni and had set aside about Rs 50-60 thousand as capital for the canteen.

Unfortunately, as March 2020 arrived, COVID-19-induced lockdown stalled his venture. While thinking about what to do next, he received advice from a friend Dinesh Shetty.

Shetty suggested to Sarath to use his modified Omni to sell vegetables. He set about to implement the idea.

Initially, he earned about Rs 1,000 from his vegetable sales but now he sees his turnover in upwards of Rs 5,000.

Sarath travels on different routes with his Omni every day. Presently, he has covered Kanjilakodi, Nettarakere, Kapikaad, Kumudelu, Kuttikala etc.

Most of the days he buys wholesale vegetables from the market at BC Road and once in a week goes to Hassan and Chikkamagaluru.

He has won the hearts of so many consumers that they wait for his arrival to buy their groceries.

“I had planned to return from abroad and start my own business. I have become self-sufficient. There is peace in this work. Some people buy vegetables only from me. My friend Shivraj too is helping me. I can also easily manage my family,” said Sarathkumar Kotinja.

There are many stories of people who used their adversities as opportunities in times of distress, such as the present COVID-19 pandemic. These stories inspire more people. If you know such people or events please share it with us on the WhatsApp number 7618774529.