Student sells bags to buy his way through education
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The News: For how long are you selling bags in Karachi?
Banarus Khan: This is my 5th consecutive year in this business. I have just completed my Intermediate in science from Peshawar. A few years back, I was on a visit to Karachi when an idea to earn some money in the summer vacations without affecting my studies struck my mind. Later, I decided to sell bags (local and imported) in Karachi and for a start I took a rented cart for the business.
TN: Would you further pursue your studies?
BK: Definitely, after vacations I would return to Peshawar to continue studies as I do every year. For me my studies are everything. This is the foremost reason why I come to Karachi on summer vacations, to make money and buy books.
TN: How much do you earn during your each visit to Karachi?
BK: Every year I come to Karachi for 2 months or so. I make around Rs5,000 to Rs10,000 during each visit. Though I have a big family to support in Peshawar, I will still try to complete my education before starting any full-time job. I have 2 sisters and 5 brothers, except one brother all my siblings are younger than me and are studying in Peshawar.
TN: How many hours do you work in a day?
BK: My day starts at 8 am and ends after 10 pm.
TN: How many bags do you sell in a day?
BK: I usually sell around 10 to 12 bags in a day. However, sometimes these figures fall to 5 bags or so.
TN: You have local bags as well as Chinese bags, which are more popular?
BK: I deal in both local and imported Chinese bags, but sales wise both are equally popular. There is a huge difference in price and quality, Chinese bags are more expensive and are much better in quality. They are better than local bags in fabric and stitching. A normal Chinese travelling bag is being sold for Rs240, while a local bag much bigger in size is available for Rs180.
In May, June and July, schools are closed, which resultantly causes a decline in school bag sales, but the sales of travelling bags rise in the said period as inter-city travelling increases in the country.
TN: What are your future plans?
BK: I would first complete my masters, but unfortunately there are very limited opportunities in my home town. My friend had completed his masters in science, and got a job in a school with a package of just Rs2,000. This is very discouraging for students, and enough to cruelly shatter their dreams.
Student sells bags to buy his way through education
