Four marketing students of Barisal University (BU) have initiated a food start-up with a cart in the campus area, setting an example that no work is too small as long as it's honest.

It has already been a month since the team of four, led by third-year management student Mehedi Hassan Plabon, set up their food cart -- selling chicken biryani for only Tk 40 in front of the university gate.

“Tutoring people for pocket money or monthly expenditure is a common practice among university students. We wanted to do something different that would be beneficial to people as well. So, we decided on a food start-up to ensure healthy and safe food at a reasonable price,” said Mehedi.

“It took me almost three months to take the decision and implement it. Adulterated and unhealthy foods have flooded the market. My team does everything, from grocery shopping to cooking. We don't compromise on quality,” he added.

“A full packet of chicken biryani is usually sold at Tk 120-140 at the university gate. We are selling each packet at only Tk 40. It has been possible as Mehedi bhai cooks the food himself, and we sell them in rotation, whoever remains free between 12:00pm and 3:00pm,” said Golam Morshed, a first-year student and one of the team members.

Both students and teachers of the university appreciate the initiative and the chicken biryani is gaining popularity. The food cart stays at the university gate from 12:00 to 3:00pm.

“We make a profit of Tk 1,000-1,500 daily by selling up to 100 lunch packets. Sometimes, the demand is even higher,” said Jannatul Ferdous, another team member.

“I buy the biryani for lunch every day as it seems safe and healthy; it's not too greasy. The food is tasty and cheap too,” said Shanta, a marketing student. 

“We used to laugh at them when they started selling food from the cart on campus, but now they are becoming an example to others,” said Md Al-Amin, an accounting student.

“Initially, it was a challenge for us, as our families raised objections saying that selling food out of a cart would dishonour them. But now, even they feel proud of us,” said another member of the group, Abdullah Al Mamun.

“The four youths and their start-up is an inspiration for their fellow students. They have proved that every honest work deserves respect. Development and progress become certain when our educated youths dare to choose unconventional paths and achieve success,” said Prof Md Mohsin, arts faculty dean of the university.