Keonjhar: If there is a will, there is a way, goes the adage and Bismaylochan Prusty has proved it in his life—transforming from a mere worker at an eatery to a hugely successful owner of one.
Over time, people in Keonjhar have come to swear by his eatery–Sahu Hotel–for the assorted food it serves.
It wasn’t easy to arrive at where he is today, though and few know of the toil his journey entailed; sheer hard work and determination to live his life on his own terms ensured he achieved his dream.
The 60-year old Bismaylochan is a resident of Teli Tangarapada under Patna bock. At the age of 11, when he was in Class-VII, he left home in a huff over some petty issue. He started to work at the popular Nani Hotel as a `hotel boy.’ He worked there for two years without wages. Thereafter, he was paid Rs 5 a month as remuneration which later climbed to Rs 60.
However, he wanted to do his own business and took a loan of Rs 2,800. He started his eatery on Mining Road at Turumunga on a temporary arrangement.
Subsequently, he purchased land on College Road and set up Sahu Hotel. He has engaged 12 people in his hotel and earns enough to manage his family of five.
Towards salaries of his staff, he has been paying Rs 85,000 per month leaving him with about Rs 25,000. He says he does not want more profit, but just about enough.
Though his two sons are well qualified, they still assist his father to run his business.
His childhood obstinacy – not to depend on or live off his parental property — and sheer determination helped him to establish himself and set an example for others.
Prusty says, he has not forgotten those struggling days. It is perhaps that living memory which makes him treat his own staff with compassion, taking good care of them.
Apart from meals for lunch and dinner, he sells a variety of sweets like Bundi Ladu, Khura gaza, Dahi Bundia, Rasa kadam, Rasa malei, Rasagola, Chhena Poda and steam cake. These items are very popular in the town and do not remain for too long on the shelves.
College students are drawn to his eatery in droves as they can get meals for Rs 30 each. The business peaks at noon and night.
In the morning, people throng to eat Chakuli Pithaa, Dosa, Bara, Alu Chap and Ghuguni.
His hotel’s name has an interesting tale to tell, too for it does not take after his own surname but another. When he was working in the Nani Hotel, people called him Sahu Pua. “So I retained the name as part of the hotel’s,” he added.
His name would loosely translate to `wonder.’ Indeed, Bismaylochan has lived up to his name, too, as he has proved the adage right.
PNN