A PLATE AT PARSA'S

Eat a kebab, listen to the rabab-what makes the largest Kashmiri restaurant chain a favourite in the valley for foodies to young entrepreneurs, writers and even those seeking art therapy

- TARIQ BHAT

The world wide web is often tangled in Kashmir. But Javid Parsa wove success regardless. The 36-year-old has created the largest restaurant chain in the valley-with 38 franchisees by quitting his corporate job and leveraging his popularity online.

It started when he was studying in Hyderabad. Javid took a liking to Lamakaan, a cultural centre there that hosts plays, seminars and other social gatherings, while also catering to the taste buds of patrons. He would often go there as a student activist and help with the setup when there were Kashmir-related events.

Javid wanted such a space in his home state, where there would be food for belly, and thought. And so, in 2017, he started Parsa's in the heart of Srinagar, about 60km from his home in Bandipora. It was launched as a place where artists, writers and poets come together, show their work, hold discussions and grab a bite.

The idea came from home. Born in a family steeped in Urdu literature, and with a poet great-grandfather, Javid pursued an MBA in Urdu at Maulana Azad University in Hyderabad. "After my graduation, I applied for a job at Amazon," he said. "During the interview, my choice of Urdu was questioned, but my extensive networking experience as the founding general secretary of the university students' union impressed them." Using his savings from a two-year stint at Amazon, he put in *7 lakh to create Parsa's. "The name Parsa, my great-grandfather's pen name, felt perfect," he said. The modest 200sqft eatery, on the top floor of a mall at Jehangir Chowk, is airy and offers a great view. Great to sit with a book and a drink. In fact, they have their own library of more than 2,000 donated books, arranged in wooden shelves opposite the entrance. "Once you donate a book, you gain access to all books, one at a time for 15 days," said Javid.