Amazing people that I have met in the recent months include the nice middle-aged gentleman called Mohammad Ashraf who sells fresh vegetables and fruits from his pushcart in my neighborhood.
The first time my son saw the display of his wares from our balcony, his reaction was "Vow!!! this cart looks like a display from Carrefour".
(He spent his childhood in the UAE where most fruits and vegetables are in season the year round at the main hypermarkets like Carrefour, Spinneys etc.).
In his excitement he was only too pleased to run
downstairs and get me what I needed from Ashraf.
I take this as a great tribute to Mr. Ashraf, whose small one-man business can definitely compete with the largest Hypermarkets on quality and freshness of his wares as well as his superb Customer Service.
Neatly arranged in separate bags on his hand-pushed cart, each and every piece is clean and fresh.
He promises to take back any piece of vegetable that you are not happy with and replace it with a fresh one at no extra cost.
Intrigued by this vegetable cart that has no mess of wilted and dying herbs rather it is very attractive due to the colorful arrangement of glistening, perfectly shaped pieces of cabbage, pumpkin, tomatoes and crisp bunches of coriander, mint and fenugreek, I wanted to know more about his business philosophy.
Ashraf goes to the Vegetable Market very early in the morning and selects the best produce even if he has to pay a little more. This way he brings the best quality vegetables to our doorstep every day.
He sells most of the stock on his cart in a day. He showed me one piece from the day before that was still quite fresh because he selects his wares very carefully.
The value of honesty and dealing fair in business is the legacy of his father who was also a vegetable vendor.
Ashraf earns about 15000 Rupees (USD 150 approx.) every month with which he supports his young children, who go to school.
His main worry is to find good husbands for his daughters. Strangely he is neither critical of the government nor does he have high expectations of them. He is happy to be able to earn an honest livelihood and appears content and proud of his efforts.
Though Ashraf cannot read English, I am sure it will make him very happy and proud to hear from me what you have to say about his business spirit ... so please do share your feelings which I will convey to him Insha Allah.
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| What a lovely display - Farm-fresh vegetables |
The first time my son saw the display of his wares from our balcony, his reaction was "Vow!!! this cart looks like a display from Carrefour".
(He spent his childhood in the UAE where most fruits and vegetables are in season the year round at the main hypermarkets like Carrefour, Spinneys etc.).
In his excitement he was only too pleased to run
downstairs and get me what I needed from Ashraf.
 |
| The mobile Vegetable business of Mohammad Ashraf |
I take this as a great tribute to Mr. Ashraf, whose small one-man business can definitely compete with the largest Hypermarkets on quality and freshness of his wares as well as his superb Customer Service.
Neatly arranged in separate bags on his hand-pushed cart, each and every piece is clean and fresh.
He promises to take back any piece of vegetable that you are not happy with and replace it with a fresh one at no extra cost.
Intrigued by this vegetable cart that has no mess of wilted and dying herbs rather it is very attractive due to the colorful arrangement of glistening, perfectly shaped pieces of cabbage, pumpkin, tomatoes and crisp bunches of coriander, mint and fenugreek, I wanted to know more about his business philosophy.
Ashraf goes to the Vegetable Market very early in the morning and selects the best produce even if he has to pay a little more. This way he brings the best quality vegetables to our doorstep every day.
He sells most of the stock on his cart in a day. He showed me one piece from the day before that was still quite fresh because he selects his wares very carefully.
The value of honesty and dealing fair in business is the legacy of his father who was also a vegetable vendor.
 | |
| Ashraf knows the value of Customer Service |
Ashraf earns about 15000 Rupees (USD 150 approx.) every month with which he supports his young children, who go to school.
His main worry is to find good husbands for his daughters. Strangely he is neither critical of the government nor does he have high expectations of them. He is happy to be able to earn an honest livelihood and appears content and proud of his efforts.
Though Ashraf cannot read English, I am sure it will make him very happy and proud to hear from me what you have to say about his business spirit ... so please do share your feelings which I will convey to him Insha Allah.
Great story. There are millions of Ashraf in Pakistan. Only if the talent, honesty, and opportunity can be tapped
ReplyDeleteThese are the pillars of our Society... it is the efforts and courage of these people that strengthens the foundations of the country...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIf you ask me, I appreciate your thoughts but it's even better to help them rather than only writing these blogs. At this instant, I would say PKR 15000 is not suffice for the entire family. It does not fulfil their basic needs. Remember everything depends upon the efforts you made for survival. Different approaches can be arise like, the way you present your product,taste,environment yeah your well organized hand-pushcart, meanwhile the foremost thing is how much realistic you are, sincere with your work.Your taste can pick you up to the mark. Your pushcart must exist to some working areas accordingly! Try to create monopoly by targeting to some specified area not still being targeted. Then I will see, PKR 15000 or 150000. your positive attitude or determination will help you.
ReplyDeleteA veg-seller can justify himself at the spot when he purchases commodity from market in term of bid. Because the carton/sac contain one product each, by opening it , will show his posture and gesture whether to smile or cry.
Whether jumping up to the level or still be down to the earth ! Remember always be down to earth, you itself upto the sky.
i salute :-)
Some of my teammate said that he cannot sleep while dreaming.
DeleteIn my opinion , if u dream as per your status then you must find peaceful nap.
Most of the times we live in a dream that has nothing to do with reality.