00:00 (upbeat music)
00:02 - Shining brighter than the jewels
00:06 that you just saw ladies and gentlemen,
00:08 is our next speaker,
00:10 who is a woman who is also known as the Dawn of Chinatown
00:15 from the city of joy.
00:18 Miss Monica Liu, a Chinese immigrant,
00:21 is an epitome of courage and determination.
00:25 The essential prerequisites
00:28 for becoming a successful entrepreneur.
00:30 Monica is a true inspiration
00:33 for those who want to go the extra mile
00:36 to make their mark in this world.
00:38 But her journey has been far from easy.
00:42 (soft music)
00:48 In 1991, Monica Liu started her first Chinese restaurant
00:55 in Kolkata's Chinatown.
00:58 But her path to success was not easy.
01:01 Her entire family was arrested.
01:11 After five years, Monica and her family were released
01:15 when she sent a letter to the Home Minister.
01:18 But by then, they had lost everything.
01:24 Their home, their friends.
01:27 - So my mom know how to make momos and all that.
01:30 So every evening, we all had my mom to make momo.
01:34 And from morning we start selling them.
01:36 - After a few years, Monica moved back to Kolkata.
01:43 Today, she owns five restaurants.
01:46 Kim Ling, Beijing, Tung Fong, Mandarin on Sarathpost Road
01:50 and Mandarin in Lake Avenue.
01:53 She was once a refugee,
01:55 but today is called the dawn of Kolkata's Chinatown.
01:59 - I love India, but I always said, "Kolkata, Zindaba."
02:03 (laughs)
02:05 I love Kolkata.
02:07 - Well, ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome
02:13 Miss Monica Liu, who will be taking us through
02:16 a fascinating journey this evening.
02:19 (upbeat music)
02:21 Thanks.
02:22 (upbeat music)
02:24 - Good evening, everybody.
02:30 I love you all.
02:32 (applause)
02:34 I don't know how to start.
02:42 Today I'm standing here because of Outlook Business Magazine
02:51 made me standing here, proudly standing here
02:55 to show what I have and what courage they have given,
02:59 all of you have given me, and today what I am.
03:02 Of course, for me, it's not easy.
03:05 From childhood, from childhood when I'm eight, nine years old,
03:12 taking to Rajasthan due to Indochina War,
03:15 and from Rajasthan when I came back.
03:18 That is worse part that we don't even have any food to eat.
03:23 And it's...
03:25 That time we really struggled a lot, and all...
03:29 We are trying to sell momo because my mom is one of the very...
03:34 He's... He know how to make momo.
03:37 So we start the momo in selling to the school
03:41 so that we can earn some living,
03:44 for living and for education.
03:47 But that also not easy.
03:50 It's very hard to struggle.
03:53 After a few years, I was married
03:55 because my parents cannot afford to take us for more education
04:00 and feed us anymore.
04:02 So I was married in the year 1971.
04:05 But after getting married, that life was very, very tough,
04:09 more tough than what I used to be in my parents' place
04:13 because I have to struggle and earn money and living for my family.
04:18 My husband is not doing well.
04:20 He's an honest man, but very good.
04:22 But I can't even say that today.
04:24 I also feel that every woman, every man,
04:29 success woman have a woman behind.
04:32 But today, even I'm success,
04:34 but I always also should think that I have a man behind me.
04:39 So...
04:41 (Applause)
04:43 Without my husband giving me courage and everything,
04:47 it's not possible for me also.
04:50 And after trying to start a restaurant in Chinatown,
04:58 what I feel that they will be a good business.
05:01 But then, in 1991, I have started Kim Ling,
05:05 which was very, very, very, very tough.
05:08 That toughness, we cannot even express what is happening.
05:14 Everyone will come and try to grab the free meal
05:19 and try to make lots of trouble to us,
05:25 but I overcome it one by one.
05:29 So gradually, we have started one by one.
05:33 From Kim Ling, I started another Mandarin,
05:36 then Beijing, then Toon Fong restaurant,
05:39 and then a Mandarin, five outlets now in Kolkata.
05:42 And I believe hard work will always succeed.
05:47 So what I want to send to everybody
05:51 that my parents used to tell me,
05:55 "You don't worry. You just have to work hard.
05:58 You will always succeed."
06:00 So this is what I am sending all the message
06:03 to all the young ladies and all.
06:05 Thank you very much.
06:08 (music)
06:12 (music)
06:15 (music)
06:18 (upbeat music)
06:20 (upbeat music)
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