Starvation To Success: Bardhaman Couple's Inspiring 'Jhalmuri' Venture After Covid-19

The tough situations followed by the COVID-19 epidemic led many families on the road while others lost their jobs and businesses. Many lost their will to live while others began their second innings after the epidemic. One of them is a couple from Bardhaman who proved that age is no barrier if you wish to earn money. One is in the 70s while the other a relatively younger, the couple works equally hard to sell jhalmuri at a street corner shop. The man’s name is Chandi Sarkar and the wife’s name is Geeta Sarkar. Although the original house is in Barsul village, they currently live on rent in the Swasti Palli area of Bardhaman.

Geeta Devi and her husband currently sell Jhalmuri in the Ullas Mor area of Bardhaman to support their family. Chandi Sarkar drove lorries and buses for 14 years. It was his primary occupation which he lost during the epidemic. In COVID-19, the couple spent several days in starvation, in search of a job or stable income. On the advice of a friend, Chandi Sarkar decided to start a business Behlpuri in Bardhaman.

While talking to Local18, Chandi Babu recalled his bad times and said, “From the beginning, the situation in the family was bad. I drove a bus lorry for about 14 years after learning lorry driving from a friend. But during the lockdown, the work went away. Even during the lockdown, we did not get food for days.”

It is known that he first started the business with Rs 2000 and a broken bicycle. At first, he used to sell Jhalmuri by visiting different streets, lanes, homes and colonies. Later, the two started a permanent business near Ullas Mor in Burdwan. At present, they earn their livelihood by selling jhalmuri. He left the bicycle and bought a ‘Toto’ (e-rickshaw) with a loan. Now, they travel with the toto and do business.

In the evening, the crowd often gathers in their small shop. Apart from Jhalmuri, they have various delicacies like Ghugni Chaat, Aloo Kabli, etc. Irrespective of age, this couple from Bardhawan town lives by selling food to survive the struggle of life.