Computer Scientist-turned-Chef
Our next entrepreneur seems to live by the saying:
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It is never too late to follow your dream,
and there is no time like the present to start.
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The life journey of Ahsan Irshad, former computer scientist and now a chef,
is sure to be adventurous and inspiring.
Ahsan Irshad started as just another average 20-something-year-old, looking for a stable career. After getting his degree from COMSATS, he soon started working in the corporate circle, but something was amiss.
He was not satisfied with the corporate life and THAT is how he found his passion for cooking.
Many people might find this sudden change of heart relatable.
For decades, Pakistan has considered limited career choices as successful. Such preferences of society have actually created a competitive environment for the students. Depression, anxiety, and general unhappiness are at an all-time high among the students of Pakistan.
Students, feeling pressured by societal standards, often end up giving up on their artistic ambitions. Many people, to this day, are suffering from uncertainty while walking on the road their parents designated for them. Such parents are one major part of the society that crushes the dreams and hopes of young people.
Thankfully, times are changing. With the changing times, new ideas are being given way. The youth of today plays a vital role in the progress our society has made. They challenge the traditional paths by opting for a wide variety of fields. In fact, they are also creating stepping stones for the coming generations.
Ahsan Irshad is one such example. His ability to turn his life around by working hard is living proof that it is never too late.
Powering through the hurdles in his path, he began his journey as a humble street vendor. Through sheer determination alone, he managed to secure two cafe spots in less than a year.
His journey to success is inspiring, without a doubt. However, it does highlight the issue of financial support faced by many. We live in a society where the concept of moral and financial support is not encouraged, especially for the youth.
Ahsan Irshad managed to make it on his own but several ideas get dumped into bins daily due to the lack of funds.
Business requires investments, and investments come from support. In a society, where taking a step out of line puts you in the limelight, it is hard to receive any support, let alone financial help.
The news of the Kamyab Jawan initiative has been floating around for a while. This project is sure to benefit the country's youth by catering to the issue of unemployment as well as by allowing them to tap into diverse fields.
Another unique aspect of Ahsan's life is society's assigned gender roles. Ahsan Irshad is 'the guy who cooks' in this heavily toxic society of Pakistan with unreal stereotypes etched in stone.
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Society is full of gender-assigned stereotypes. So, it is worth mentioning that the issue lies within the people and the culture, not a certain religion.
In our never-evolving culture, roles have been defined a bit too clearly for men and women. Unfortunately for Ahsan Irshad, cooking was considered a feminine line of work. Such stereotypes made his heart ache, but he never let them block his path and he has, with time, proved his haters wrong.
Such toxic thought processes hinder a person's creativity. They are harmful to the individual themselves as well as to the country.
The world isn't made up of doctors and engineers. And it is about time that we let our talented youth benefit Pakistan’s socioeconomic development.
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People need to be taught that intelligence, talent, and creativity are not confined to a single gender. Neither can the three be compared as every human has a different aptitude. It is wrong to define gender roles as every individual deserves to live their dreams regardless of gender.
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Highly demanding jobs, around the world, like vets, farmers, social workers, chefs, etc. are considered lowly by Pakistanis. Simply put, social change is the need of the hour. Adults, such as parents and teachers, especially need to be open-minded about following new paths. Career Counseling Sessions need to be arranged for teenagers as well. Children with different dreams should be encouraged, instead of trying to fit them into a predefined mold. Happiness needs to be considered as a factor when deciding careers, along with stability.
In 2021, Pakistan ranked 105 out of 149 in the World Happiness Index clearly indicating that we have a long, long way to go. Changing our ways is the first step towards happiness.
Our youth stands against the beliefs of adults because they know that happiness does not come from money. A person is only truly happy when their soul is satisfied. And satisfaction can only be obtained by paving your own path instead of letting others tow you through life.
Even if your beginning is humble, being content with your life should be the priority.
We, at Kasab, hope to create a Pakistan where dreams are not just fictional dwellings but can be molded into a physical form.
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