On August 21, 2025, St. Anthony’s College, Shillong, teamed up with SACCEII and PRIME Meghalaya to host a Founder Talk featuring Mr. Khrawborbha Kharpuri, the entrepreneur behind Chicken Wagon. The event took place at the Noel Conference Hall as part of the World Entrepreneurship Day celebrations, attended by students and faculty.
Mr. Kharpuri shared a fascinating account of his entrepreneurial journey. He started his career in hotels before launching his own business with an initial investment of just ₹25,000. Through hard work and creativity, he grew Chicken Wagon into a company valued at over ₹1 crore. His wife later left her teaching job to join him in managing and expanding the business, highlighting the importance of teamwork and family support in entrepreneurship.
Today, Chicken Wagon runs five outlets: three food trucks and two dine-in restaurants. They offer quality food and create local job opportunities. Mr. Kharpuri also stressed his commitment to buying from local farmers and promoting eco-friendly practices in his operations.
The session featured an interactive Q&A round, where students asked about business growth, challenges, and scaling strategies. To keep the energy high, Mr. Kharpuri gave away surprise gifts (Chicken Wagon food items) to participants who answered his questions correctly, making the session lively and memorable.
Successful entrepreneurship can come from small beginnings with limited funds.
Resilience, flexibility, and family support are crucial for growing a business.
Local sourcing and sustainability can enhance both brand and community impact.
Customer engagement and innovative delivery methods, like food trucks, help create a strong brand.
The Founder Talk was an inspiring and impactful session. Mr. Kharpuri’s story, from a small investment to building a crore-valued enterprise, demonstrated the potential for aspiring entrepreneurs in Meghalaya. His journey showed that with determination, teamwork, and resourcefulness, local businesses can achieve both growth and sustainability. The event ended with a vote of thanks and a group photo.
