Many students believe that failing one exam is the end of their dreams. A poor report card, a dropout, or a missed opportunity often feels impossible to recover from. But some of India’s most inspiring success stories began with academic setbacks rather than perfect marks.One such story belongs to PC Mustafa, the founder of iD Fresh Food. Born into a poor family in a remote village in Kerala’s Wayanad district, Mustafa once dropped out of school after failing Class 6. Years later, he would graduate from engineering, study at IIM Bangalore and build one of India’s most recognisable food brands.
The teacher who refused to let a student give up
Mustafa grew up in Chennalode, a small village nestled in the hills of Wayanad. His father worked as a daily wage labourer on a ginger farm, earning barely enough to support the family. Like many children from economically disadvantaged households, Mustafa spent part of his childhood working alongside his father in the fields.School did not interest him. After failing his Class 6 examinations, he decided to drop out and continue working on the farm.That decision might have shaped the rest of his life had it not been for one teacher.His mathematics teacher noticed Mustafa’s absence and walked all the way to the farm to find him. Standing amid the crops, he asked a question that would change the young boy’s future: Did he want to spend his life struggling for daily wages like his father, or did he want to study and create a different future for himself and his family?Those words stayed with Mustafa.He returned to school, worked harder than ever before, topped Class 7, performed exceptionally well in Class 10 and gradually rediscovered confidence in his abilities.
From financial struggles to engineering and IIM Bangalore
Education soon became Mustafa’s biggest opportunity.He secured a free seat and free meals during college, easing the financial burden on his family. Later, he achieved Rank 63 in Kerala’s state engineering entrance examination and completed his engineering degree.The journey was not without challenges. Since he had studied in a regional language, English lectures initially proved difficult to follow. A classmate translated lessons for him until he became comfortable enough to understand them independently.After graduating, Mustafa built a successful career with multinational companies in Dubai, earning a salary his family could once scarcely imagine. Yet he wanted to build something of his own. Determined to strengthen his management skills, he returned to India and pursued higher studies at IIM Bangalore.
From a small kitchen to a household brand
In 2005, Mustafa and four cousins started a small venture in Bengaluru using their savings. They prepared fresh idli and dosa batter in a modest kitchen and sold it in simple plastic packets.That humble beginning eventually grew into iD Fresh Food, a company that today sells fresh food products across India and international markets. The brand has expanded far beyond batter, creating employment for thousands of people while becoming a familiar name in millions of households.Looking back, Mustafa often credits education—not just degrees, but the people who believed in him—for changing the course of his life.His journey also highlights the lasting impact a teacher can have. Had his mathematics teacher not walked to that farm years ago, India might never have seen the entrepreneur who built iD Fresh Food.For students worried about disappointing exam results, PC Mustafa’s story offers an important reminder: failing an examination does not define your future. Sometimes, all it takes is one teacher, one conversation and the willingness to begin again.