Covid has been a window of opportunity for some

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 7

From opening start-ups to launching their own channels on social media sites, youngsters these days are turning the Covid blues into an opportunity to ‘earn while learn’. While some have opted to take up jobs to support their families, some are making their resumes more appealing. Apart from framing their skill sets with digital marketing, being a known face on social media is considered as icing on the cake.

However, limiting himself with traditional trading methods, Prakash Kumar (19), a migrant is profiting by running his own kirana stall. Having started his kiosk in the beginning of February, this year, at Maqsudan Sabzi Mandi, Prakash didn’t know how he would go about it but relaxations announced tilted things in his favour.

To supply more income to my family, I thought of entering into the business. Unaware of the gains and losses, I gathered knowledge about the field from existing kiosk owners, and their stories were convincing enough to persuade me to set up my own stall. —Prakash Kumar (19), a migrant who is profiting by running his own kirana stall

A native of Bihar, he says, “In order to supply more income to my family, I thought of entering into the business. Unaware of the gains and losses, I gathered knowledge about the field from existing kiosk owners, and their stories were convincing enough to persuade me to set up my own stall.”

Considering him naive, his father lent him only Rs10,000 to purchase goods on wholesale rate. Initially, besides competing with other vendors, he struggled to get customers. Subsequently, the complete shutdown of affairs amid the lockdown left him on the receiving end. “I could sell my stock only to some known customers. However, contrary to my apprehensions, the gradual lifting of the curfew propelled my business and unexpected surge in demand.”

When layoffs in various sectors were making the headlines, Prakash, who is a graduate of Sports College, also hired a jobless man to help him. From selling masks and sanitisers to chips, snacks, soft drinks and clothes, he has stocked all the essentials. Looking for expansion, his bank balance is touching lakhs, and after installing a coffee vending machine, he has given employment to one more person.

Likewise, making suitable use of her social media accounts and her culinary skills, 18-year-old Ashnoor Kaur, is satisfying the taste buds of local foodies with her homemade chocolate and cakes. Tushaar Manocha (22), along with his friend Anuj Joshi, also launched his ‘foodies ki dunia’ page on Instagram to discover their skills. Within months, it garnered over 11k followers virtually.

Meanwhile, Jaswant Rai, District Bureau of Employment and Enterprises (DBEE), said, “Compared to previous years, this was the first time a large number of youngsters approached employment bureau for jobs.”