Bhubaneswar: Two engineers, who are natives of Odisha’s Gajapati district, shunned a career in the corporate world to satiate their appetite for business as restaurant owners.
At the age of 22, the entrepreneurs’ duo – Pratyush and Hitesh – is feeling satisfied to have become employers instead of employees. They are the founders of Chai Chaiee, a restaurant at Jagamara in Bhubaneswar, which serves tea, coffee, snacks and Biriyani.
The retro cafe was inaugurated by former national hockey captain Dilip Tirkey on Wednesday. “Hitesh and I have been thinking of starting a restaurant since our school days. Along with our studies, we pursued our passion and have now become business partners,” said Pratyush.
“I wanted to create employment opportunities. I was working in an IIT, Bhubaneswar, incubated company as a graphic designer, but found no satisfaction in it. It was then that I decided to become a boss myself rather than working under someone,” he said.
“After completing BTech, Hitesh got some job offers, but he came along with me to start the restaurant,” he added.
When Pratyush and Hitesh discussed food business with their families and friends, they ridiculed the idea. Now, they have started appreciating their conviction and courage to take the risk. “I am the first in my family to delve into business,” said Pratyush.
The young entrepreneurs also plan to set aside some money for charity. “We want to feed the needy, provide employment to the unemployed in rural areas and take care of street animals in association with the Ray of Hope Association,” he maintained.
