Soyara’sTakeaway Delicacies is a landmark. Located on the ground floor of the DempoTowers at Patto it is a place almost every Panjimite has visited during lunchtime. For many officer goers it is an ideal place to tuck into tastybiryanis, chicken rolls or vegetarian fare and return to the office. The placeis crowded despite no chairs being made available for people to sit, chat andeat.
In1992, encouraged by her husband Soyara Mohite set up this outlet. She said “Istarted off with zero capital but my husband who knew my worth invested in thebusiness and all the expenses were borne by him.” The first year was not a veryprofitable experience. It was her husband who appeared to have more faithin her who motivated her and kept her going.
Today,it is undoubtedly a success. Despite the presence of other air conditionedeateries, they are unable to make a dent in the sales of Soyara’s Biryanis andKababs.
Soyaraa B.A. in political science hails from a family of agriculturists inPune. With glee in her eyes, she remembers her younger days when shehelped her family in the fields. Married for 20 years, she has twochildren, Samved who is doing her 2nd year engineering in Pune andChandra who is still in school.
TodaySoyara’s has a full time manager, 5 helpers and 5 cooks besides other staff(all women). But Soyara Mohite still dreams. She hopes that at-least 1000biryanis are delivered to people in offices and guests in hotels. She hopes to owna piece of land to grow part of her requirements for her commercial outlet andher residence. Soyara who is also anartist has painted several sketches on canvas, which she gifts to her friendson birthdays.
Successhowever comes at a price. In 12 years she has managed just one holiday for 8days in Singapore, Malaysia and Bangkok. She is never able to sleepbefore 1.00am and is back to work by 8.00 am. Meet her early in themorning on any day. She is well dressed, cheerful and always at theservice of her customers who include the bold and the beautiful, the young andthe old, the working class and their employers. The treatment given toall is the same.
