Santosh Gaonkar
CANACONA: At a time when the government is organising job fairs to provide employment opportunities for Goan youth, there are a few who dare to dream of owning their own businesses and creating a self-sufficient ecosystem that simultaneously helps and depends on the people of the community. Vishnu Chavhan from Mastimal, Canacona, is one such example.
“My mother used to buy vegetables from Belgaum and then sell it here at Canacona’s Municipal Market. She is 65 years old now and I am not only carrying forward her business and legacy, but also expanding it,” says Chavhan, who runs three greengrocery stores selling fresh produce.
“I have a shop in Canacona’s vegetable market but it is currently shut for various reasons. However, I have rented two shops at other locations, and run my business from there. The pandemic did affect us a lot, but fortunately, the situation has improved,” he added.
While speaking about the expanse of his operations, he said that there is a huge demand for fresh and varied vegetables from restaurant and hotel owners in Palolem, Patnem, Ovrem and Agonda as these beaches attract huge crowds of visitors.
“The vegetables are delivered to them in a rickshaw or via two-wheelers. I have nine people who report to me and they deliver the goods as per demand. They are sensible and cooperative, which is a big relief for me. I am taking this business, which was started by my mother, to the next level, and I am glad that I am able to do so. I am satisfied mentally as well as financially,” beams Chavhan with pride.
Chavhan opined that highly educated youth should consider setting up their own businesses instead of running behind jobs, especially dead-end jobs with no scope for growth, and at the risk of being replaced by technology.
“There are around a dozen beaches in Canacona taluka, attracting a good number of tourists. If the educated youth establish their own businesses instead of running behind jobs, they themselves will be able to provide employment to others,” he said.
