'Matka Anch' of Mymensingh: A Tale of Two Students' entrepreunal journey

Asiful Haque Asif and Chayon Dewan, both students from the Department of Fine Arts at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, faced a halt in their studies due to the closure of educational institutions during the coronavirus pandemic. In response, they decided to open a restaurant called 'Matka Anch,' located near the RAB headquarters in Mymensingh. The restaurant began its operations on January 1, 2021.

Started as an outcome of their leisure time, the restaurant has become a serious part of their lives, perhaps even their careers. How did their journey get started? And how did Matka Anch, an 'alternate job', become the real thing in their lives? This write-up will tell the whole story.

Matka Anch Restaurant has already created a massive response among the people around Mymensingh. Younger girls and boys are getting more attracted as students conduct it. Apart from this, people of all ages go there to spend their leisure time due to the variety of food served, including Motka tea. Moreover, serving tea in earthen pots attracts many people's attention.

Tea should have more aesthetic appeal in its atmosphere

Looking at the walls of Matka Anch, one can see various paintings, the floor is decorated with stones, and various other works of art. The touch of aesthetics can be seen everywhere.

As fine arts students, they believe this small drink, 'tea,' should be more aesthetic in its atmosphere and all aspects. The outer wall is decorated with the art of Baker Bhai, a popular 90s Television serial 'Kothao Keu Nei' character.

How they started it 

Two friends, Asiful Haque Asif and Chayon Dewan, invested their income from tuition. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, they lost their tuition. At that time, these two friends were killing time by doing nothing. So, they decided to run a business where their leisure time would need to be better spent.

Asiful Haque Asif, the entrepreneur of Matka Anch, said, "I have always thought in my heart that if I can build a good business, I will not suffer from depression. Now I am glad that Matka Anch has also provided employment not just to me but to others as well."

There are several teas served in this restaurant. These are Matka Special Tea, Matka Kulfi, Matka Faluda, Regular Tea and many more. 

Chayon Dewan, another entrepreneur of Matka Anch, said, "Matka tea has become more popular than other food. The reason is that the tea is served with pure cow's milk, milk malai with best quality tea leaves, wood nuts, cashew nuts, pasta nuts, raisins and other healthy dry food."

Regarding the making process, Chayon said, "I burn the clay pot to make tea at a very high temperature. As a result, there is no bacteria-virus in it."

The restaurant became a hit in their locality and an inspiration to many. "Within a year, our business turned into a million taka in growth, and then we expanded our business further. In these three years, we have continued our studies, alongside maintaining a full-fledged business." Chayon said.

"We are a team of 12 staff working relentlessly to serve our customers. We sell around 40 kgs of tea daily. We have allowed people to sit here and have tea for thirty to fifty taka." he added.

While in university, we face various financial challenges, which is the story of every university student. However, it is only some students' stories to take up that challenge and become successful entrepreneurs. Their (working with tea) becoming a successful entrepreneur in university life is an example.

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