GEYZING,: Two young trainees from Industrial Training Institute, Geyzing – Prerna Rai and Pabitra Chettri – made a successful debut as food vendors at the Sunday Haat of Geyzing.
The duo, both in their early 20s and studying food production as part of their ITI training, set up their food stall at a small space above the taxi stand, and within a few hours, their entire stock of momo and other delicacies was sold out.
This was Prerna and Pabitra's first venture into the food business, and according to them, it was both a fruitful and encouraging experience. The pair expressed their gratitude for the support they received from ITI, Geyzing and Geyzing Nagar Panchayat which helped them overcome initial challenges related to space and required permissions. Thanks to the efforts of Chandra Hang Subba, a junior engineer at ITI, Geyzing, the trainees were allocated a prime spot for their stall, enabling them to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.
Chandra Hang Subba, who played a key role in facilitating the food stall opportunity, said that his goal was to provide a platform for local youth to showcase their skills and develop self-reliance. "We wanted to give our skilled trainees a chance to enter the market and build a future for themselves," Subba said. “This initiative will not only provide opportunities for growth but will also ensure that ITI Geyzing's graduates are not left without meaningful employment.”
While the duo's food stall only offered a limited menu during its opening day, the young women were optimistic about expanding their offerings in the future. Pabitra shared that they planned to add a variety of food items to their menu, and could eventually include bakery items, as the ITI also trains students in bakery skills. "We are motivated by the overwhelming support from our customers. Even though we had limited space and no dine-in facilities, we were able to sell out our stock quickly. The encouragement from the community means a lot to us," said Prerna.
Local customers who visited the stall expressed their admiration for the young entrepreneurs. Many emphasized how uplifting it was to see young, local women pursuing self-sustained livelihoods through their own business initiative. “It's inspiring to see young people taking charge of their futures, and we are happy to support them,” said one of the customers. Another added, “It's a proud moment for Geyzing to witness local youth striving to make a dignified living.”
Chandra Hang Subba highlighted the importance of skill-based training and how initiatives like this food stall can help bridge the gap between skilled workers and market opportunities. He noted that many graduates from ITI, trained in fields such as plumbing, electrical work, and beauty services, often struggle to find work due to limited job opportunities or skepticism towards local skilled labor. By creating opportunities for these skilled youth to showcase their work in a market setting, ITI hopes to address local employment challenges and ensure that their trained workforce remains valuable and accessible to the community.
Looking ahead, Subba shared that ITI, Geyzing is considering expanding its training programs to include more entrepreneurial ventures, with the possibility of adding bakery-based items to the food stall.
Prerna and Pabitra are excited about the future and are determined to continue running their stall every Sunday. They thanked everyone who supported them in their venture, from the ITI staff to the GNP, and most importantly, the customers who helped make their first day a success. “With more space and continued encouragement, we hope to grow our stall into a sustainable business and inspire other youth to follow their dreams,” said Pabitra.
