BY MANOJ KUMAR OJHA
Doomdooma(Asam) : Roadside Eatries in the northeastern state of Assam in India has been emerging as a ” Big Employment Industry “, the youths say in an exclusive interview to Our India.
As per the Aadhar statistics, the population of Assam is 3,45,86,234 in 2022-23 among which estimated above 3-5 lakhs youths are in Fast Food business.
Jay, 26, of Doomdooma Town in Tinsukia district of upper Assam runs a Chinese Fast Food stall after he left his job in Chennai during Corona induced lockdown. Talking to Our India, he says, ” I am happily surprised that a very good opportunities are here and now in our local area. I run a Chinese Corner, just few step from my residence. And I am earning more than what earnings were in Chennai. “
” You can see many more streetside fast food stalls running in our state whether it is upper, lower or central Assam. One more important thing is that after completion of two big bridges in our upper region ( Dr Bhupen Hazarika Setu and Bogibeel bridge ) the roadside eatries businesses have been booming. Because including entire eastern Arunachal Pradesh, most part of the neighborhood states are well connected with each other. The people’s movement from one state to another has been rapidly increasing. “
This has changed the way the streets of the big cities of Assam looking earlier including Guwahati, Jorhat, Sivasagar and Silchar.
” The Fast Food stalls and Chinese Corners are emerging as big employment industry in the state. People basically the youths after corona pendemic who used to go out of state for job now prefer a Road side food business here.
But why this all changes in food business. The Our India asked Ashok Barua, a business expert. He said, ” Easy loans from Banks, small capital investment, high profit, time saving and popularity of fast food among new generation are the cause due which it is flourishing. “
Thousands of Assamese youths came back home after corona outbreaks from different states of the country who were working in food industries. Now they are using their skill here in their own business.
Rajnish, a fast food stall owner in the rural most belt of Tinsukia, said, ” Weekly markets are regarded the backbone of economy in our rural belt, gradually the roadside eatries are being included in it. “
” This is being attributed to the fact that many youths who lost their job due to the pandemic are now involved in roadside eatries business to support their families. ” A government official said.
The most positive thing is that now the customers are turning up to the roadside eatries mostly chinese food stalls.
Ved Barua, a college student and a Chinese Fast Food lover at roadside eatries, said, ” Now I regularly go out to eat at roadside eatries especially at local food stalls beside roads. “
” Chowmein, Momo, fried rice, Maggie or chickens, I always prefer roadside eatries. ” Barua further said.
The experts analyze this as a combination both in change in eating habits, economic factor and trending choice of business of Assam youths.Not only this these eatries are adding health drinks and immunity boosting food also.
So be it, the cheap rate, ready to eat items, the eating habits, the test altogether making a culture of food and benefiting the young businessmen.The change in outlook of the general public is also helping this food industry to grow up.