Man builds three-storey house with income from modest Chatpate stall

By Baburam Karki,Barahachhetra, July 31: Madan Chandrabanshi of Prakashpur village, on the bank of the Saptakoshi River in Sunsari district, is a familiar person in the village. From children who have just begun to speak to elderlies with grey hair, everyone knows him and his small Chatpate stall. 

He didn’t earn this identity by doing something unique. His sought-after skill in making Chatpate – a savoury street food made with puffed rice, dried instant noodles, chickpeas, peas, potato, tomato, and onion, among others – has made him famous

Following his father’s footsteps, he forayed into the venture in 1985 when he was a 12-year-old kid. He has spent half of his life mixing and stirring the ingredients of Chatpate. His daily routine begins by arranging all the ingredients of Chatpate in the morning and selling it in the afternoon.

Chandrabanshi, who once used to go around the small town carrying a Chatpate basket on his head, has been selling it from a push-cart for the past 20 years. With his skill, he has also earned property worth millions of rupees. "I continuously sell hot and spicy snacks which includes chaat and Chatpate and bought some 13 katthas of land with the income from this business," he said. He has constructed a three-storied house from the income he made by selling Chatpate. 

He has been in this business for over three decades. This is why the youngsters in Prakashpur remember Madan as soon as they talk about the Chatpate.

Youths and children in Prakashpur and Rajabas, who have been enjoying his Chatpate, have become his loyal fans. He told The Rising Nepal that a small business could provide both name, fame and earnings if it was done consistently.

"Anybody can make their life successful if they have patience in them," he said, adding that he also managed education expenses for his four children from the same business. 

"The eldest son completed grade 12, the second one is doing his Bachelor's degree and the youngest is studying in grade 12,” he said. 

His daughter passed SEE and got married. He said he experienced success even through a small business. He further said his friends who studied together were sweating abroad to earn money. "I am satisfied with whatever I am doing because I am able to spend quality life with my family members in my native land. I am happy with my humble occupation," he said. 

"I have been saving the money that I earned from selling Chatpate on a daily basis in a local cooperative," he said.

Madan said he was somehow upset with the rising prices of edible goods. He used to prepare spicy Chatpate by mixing common bhuja, gram, bhujia, peas, soybeans, spices, salt, tomato, lime and other ingredients. 

In the past, Madan used to earn Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000 a day by selling spicy snacks from goods he bought at Rs. 700, but the earning has fallen as price of edible goods increased recently. It is no longer profitable like before. "Chatpate is not a profitable business now as it used to be."

Madan's family is known as Chatpatte family in the village. His brothers also are involved in the business. However, Madan is an example for those who do not discriminate work as big or small. 

Tej Bahadur Gurung, ward chairman of Barahchhetra-10, said that the cheerful face and frank behaviour of Madan attracted the consumers mostly. "His Chatpatte stall is always crowded because he is professional Chatpate maker, who blends all the ingredients to make the Chatpatte tasty," he said.