A story of perseverance involving iD Fresh Food co-founder P C Musthafa has gone viral on social media, highlighting how education, mentorship and determination can transform a person’s life.
Musthafa, who reportedly left school after failing Class 6 and began working as a coolie on a coffee plantation in Kerala, went on to pursue higher education and build a successful food business.
From plantation worker to entrepreneur
According to the post shared on X by user @VikasAlwys, Musthafa came from a financially struggling family that survived on around Rs. 10 a day.
After leaving school, he worked alongside his father as a daily-wage labourer. His circumstances, however, did not stop him from returning to education.
With encouragement from a teacher who recognised his potential, Musthafa resumed his studies and eventually completed engineering at the National Institute of Technology Calicut.
He later earned an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.
Building iD Fresh Food
Musthafa went on to co-found iD Fresh Food, a ready-to-cook food company known for products such as idli and dosa batter, parathas and other fresh food offerings.
The company has since grown into a prominent food brand. According to the figures cited in the viral post, iD Fresh Food recorded revenue of Rs. 681.38 crore in FY25.
A journey shaped by persistence
Musthafa’s journey from working as a plantation labourer to becoming an entrepreneur has resonated widely online.
The story has also renewed attention on the role that teachers and education can play in changing the trajectory of children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
His experience serves as a reminder that an early setback in education does not necessarily determine the course of an entire life.