Kashmir

Amid rising unemployment rate; two Scholars from Ananatnag’s Dooru sell food items to earn living

ANANTNAG — As unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir is rising at an alarming rate, two highly qualified youth from Dooru area of Anantnag have started a small business venture by selling food items on a Mobile Van.

The duo have named Mobile Van as “Chai Daam”.

Aqib Hamid Dar, PhD in Mathematics and Mohammed Iqbal Itoo M Phill M.Ed have started selling food items including tea, biryani and other things on a mobile van near Sub-district hospital on which a big board titled “Chai Daam” is displayed.

Aqib, while talking to KNO said that he has completed his PhD in Mathematics recently and tried his luck by appearing in several exams but failed to qualify.

“In order to earn livelihood, one has to do something. So I along with my friend started selling food items on a mobile van in Dooru market,” he said.

“We are planning to start similar ventures in the entire South Kashmir so that we can provide job to others as well. Youth must not shy in starting any small unit to earn livelihood at least for themselves.”

Aqib’s friend, Mohammad Iqbal Itoo while thanking Muhammad Iqbal Ahanger Chairman MC Dooru and Farooq Ahmad Ganaie for helping them in starting this business said that in order to do anything beginning is must and “we have made this beginning and hopefully we will try to go ahead.”

He said that it is not easy for everyone to get government jobs, so youth must understand that and choose their field in which they are best to earn their livelihood.

“It took us around one month to modify an automobile and turn it into a restaurant where food items like momos, Pizza, Burger, chicken and other items are available,” he said.

“I was a contractual lecturer for five years and then for five years I was associated with an NGO as a trainer teacher and most of the contractual teachers were permanent but later the government changed policy and in order to earn livelihood, there was no option other than to start something of our own,” he said.

He said that youth must not run after government jobs only but instead they must become job seekers instead of job providers.

“We are planning to further develop this business so that it can create jobs for others as well. At present, we have provided employment to youth so far,” he said. — (KNO)