‘Started A Food Stall after Losing Job; I Live Respectably Now’

Balbir Singh alias Bittoo lost his job in hotel industry during first wave of Covid-19. He took to selling home-cooked food on a ‘scooty stall’ in west Delhi and is happy with his decision

I worked at the transport department of a five-star hotel in Delhi as a cab driver. The first wave of Covid-19 and the lockdown brought the hospitality industry to its knees. All the hotels were shut as there were few guests. First come the salary cuts, then downsizing of the staff. I was employed on a contract basis and was among the first lot to be fired.

Initially, I thought that the bad times would last for a short period – may be 15-20 days or maximum for a month. It did not seem back then that this would go for such a long time. As time passed, the financial stress increased. For three-four months, I kept sitting idle at home, using my savings.

Gradually, the funds dried up. As I have kids to look after and their studies, domestic expense, electricity & water bill, house rent all cost a steady expense. When my provident funds also dried up, I had to find something else to survive. I realised I would have to make a fresh beginning.

There were no jobs, only the jobless. Hotels were not open. The idea of setting up a food stall struck because I had always enjoyed cooking. I decided to take up the food business. I borrowed money from my friends and bought utensils, gas stove, and other items.

ALSO READ: Virus Killed My Job, But Not My Resolve

First, I thought of using a pull-cart to set up the paraphernalia but that would require another person as help to move. It also required a designated slot, besides other civic regulations to comply with. So I thought of running the stall on my scooty. That way, no helping hand would be required and it offered better mobility. I selected a vantage point, took God’s name and launched my own small home food business.

In these difficult times, many people do not have jobs or high earnings. Many people faced salary cuts, reduced daily wages and other loss of income. These factors weighed on my mind in fixing the price of my food items. I felt that instead of earning a profit of ₹10 per item, if I can keep it at ₹5, it would benefit both my customers and my business. I will be able to feed my patrons and my family both.

I sell four varieties of food daily – Kadhi, Chole, Rajma and Soya Chap. The price for a meal falls between ₹40 and ₹60. All the food is homemade. My customers swear by the food quality, taste and pricing. I come to this spot around 12:30 and the food gets over by 3 to 3:30 pm.

The situation at home is better than earlier. I no longer have to ask for money from anyone. I am earning myself and all my expenses are being spent from my money. I hope by God’s grace I will have my shop soon and run the same business under a roof.