WORLD FOOD MARKET STORY

Rad's native village, Ratnapur, is tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas in the Tanahun District of Nepal. "Life was blissful growing up - surrounded by cows, goats, and buffaloes, and the views of the majestic Himalayas that lent a new perspective every day. My family farmed everything we needed - rice, lentils, vegetables, fruits. Our self-sufficiency meant we only needed to go to the market for salt and kerosene," recalls Rad fondly.

From his village to the US, Rad's journey has been nothing short of inspiring. "I used to walk to school for 40 mins each way. At times, without shoes. Homework had to be done in daylight, as nights meant a quick dinner by the light of a kerosene lamp. While we had little, we knew a better future beckoned for those who worked hard. My parents' pursuit of a better life through their hardwork afforded us an education, and with that came the luxury to pursue our own dreams."

Rad soon moved to the US for higher education. IBM gave him the start to a gainful career. He loved his job and rose up the ranks quickly. But giving back to the community and to be of service to others tugged at his heartstrings all through. "I wanted to pay it forward. And I believed turning into an entrepreneur would give me so much more freedom as well as the ability to engage with the community. The timing was also right. Quad Cities needed a one-stop-shop that met everyone's grocery needs regardless of the cuisine they planned to cook"

Situated in East Moline, Rad's 15000 square foot World Food Market carries Indian, Asian, Hispanic, African, American, Middle-Eastern, and Mediterranean groceries.