By: Ahmad Shabir
Anantnag: Asif Ahmad Ahangar after passing his class 12 decided against carrying on his studies. He wanted to live an independent life and at the same time lend some financial support to his family. Asif kept working in a private sector till he made some earning. Few years ago he decided to travel to Saudi Arabia and Qatar where he worked in hotel industry.
After making some good earning in both the countries, Asif, a resident of Kamad village of Anantnag decided to return home and start his own business.
“Since the food truck business is old concept in the countries like Qatar, the idea to take this concept back home struck my mind,” Asif told Precious Kashmir.
After returning home with the business idea, Asif purchased a mini-bus and got it modified at a local workshop.
Exactly as he had seen in Qatar and Saudi, Asif fitted everything from gas to Oven to refrigerator in the food truck. He also fitted wash basin and electric generator in the vehicle. To make the food truck attractive, Asif pasted the flex banners with pictures of different fast foods.
However, after the foodtruck was ready to move on roads, the process to seek the permission from different municipalities where he was planning to operate consumed him more than a month.
“After getting my food truck ready, I approached various municipalities like Kokernag, Pahalgam and Anantnag for permission but all of them refused the same. Since officials have no idea about this food truck concept , it seems strange to them. Though I tried my best to make them understand but they were reluctant,” Asif said.
Asif finally approached Kokernag development authority (KDA) for permission and briefed the officials about his idea.
After being hesitant initially, KDA officials finally granted the permission to Asif but for three months only. Asif finally rolled his food truck at the tourist spot and received an overwhelming response.
“For at least three months I did good business at the tourist spot. Response was beyond my expectations. Particularly the students on picnic loved and appreciated my idea,” Asif said.
Asif credits the quality and freshness of the food he serves for the response he received.
Besides making his own living, Asif employed two more people , a chef and a helper in his venture.
Asif’s next destination is the world famous tourist spot Pahalgam but what disappointed him was the non-cooperation from the officials supposed to grant him permission.
“I can provide employment to more people if the officials of the municipal committees allow me to operate at don’t create hurdles,” Asif says.
Asif’s brother , Mohammad Yunus too is disappointed over the poor response from officials to his brothers venture.
“Unemployment is growing here at an alarming rate here. And if the youth want to do something they need to be encouraged but ironically my brother was discouraged almost everywhere he went to seek permission,” Yunus said.
