Borrowed ₹100 to sell unniyappams; Sharifa has two restaurants today

MALAPPURAM: Sharifa started selling unniyappam to escape hunger. In 2012, she borrowed Rs 100 from a neighbour as her capital. Today, Kottakkal native Sharifa Kalathingal is the owner of two restaurants and a catering establishment, including Kudumbashree's Premium Cafe. Sharifa, who won the award for the best Kudumbashree entrepreneur in the state this year, also provides employment to more than 30 people, including 20 women.

Sharifa's husband Zakir, a painter, was unemployed during the rainy season. There was not even rice at home to feed the children. The family was in danger of being evicted from their rented house. Sharifa, a 10th-grade pass, did not know any other job except cooking. She asked a shopkeeper near her house if he would sell unniyappams if she made some. Then she started selling unniyappam. She cooked at home.

As demand increased, Sharifa expanded to more shops. She carried her three-month-old daughter to the shops and walked four kilometers to deliver unniyappams. She also accepted orders for patthiri and chapati and started a small-scale catering. When Sharifa approached the bank for a loan, her application was rejected as she did not have collateral.

Kudumbashree's two lakh loan for catering

Sharifa got a loan of two lakh rupees from Kudumbashree in 2018. Then she expanded her catering. The contract of the Kudumbashree scheme, which provides food to patients and employees of government hospitals during the COVID period, was a new life. Sharifa started a canteen at Kottakkal Ayurveda Hospital and Malappuram Kendriya Vidyalaya. Another restaurant was opened in Kottakkal. Sharifa recently opened a Kudumbashree Premium Cafe with modern facilities for Rs 30 lakhs, which can seat 85 people. Sharifa gets the catering for government programs and Kudumbashree fairs. She built a house near the Kottakkal spinning mill and also bought a vehicle. She sent her son Sebias to the UK for education. He is now a cardiac scientist there. Her daughter Fatima Femina is going for Medical Entrance Coaching. Sharifa is preparing for a restaurant with a conference hall in Malappuram.

Many have made fun of me for going to and from shops with a small child. Because I persevered, I was able to provide jobs to 30 people today.

Sharifa