Bhadrak: Starting from zero and becoming self sufficient has its own charm, says Narendra Sahu, who has established himself as one of the leading businessmen in Bhadrak town.
What is special about him is he encourages people to shun polythene use. He has even put up an awareness board at his hotel.
By din’t of his hard work, Sahu, known as Pagulu, has scripted success in business. He recalled his childhood days when he had to undergo a lot of hardship while struggling with a small business concern at Bhadrak Kacheri Chhak.
When he was 19, he faced a setback in life in the form of death of his father Anadi Charan Sahu. Narendra had no way but to drop his studies and shoulder the responsibility of his six siblings. He thought of doing some business. But it was seasonal. During Rakhi Purnima, he used to do Rakhi business, getting Rakhis made by children and women, and ahead of Deepavali he used to sell crackers.
Narendra said when he started his business he did it with just Rs 100. Livelihood of about 20 families was either directly or indirectly dependent on his business then. Now, over 100 families are dependent on his business. He owns the hotel-cum-lodge Swagatam at Kacheri Chhak.
When the administration has restricted the use of polythene, Sahu joined the campaign and started discouraging people not to use polythene. Customers opting for takeaways are told to carry food either in paper packets or in aluminium foil. He advises his customers to carry food parcels in cloth bags.
That apart, he has been running a private school and college and looks after their problems. In all kinds of social work, he is sought after.
His family consists of his wife Kamala, three daughters and a son. With his earnings from business, he educated all his children. While his elder daughter was married off, his son is in Standard VIII.
PNN
