"If monetary goal is the only thing you are looking for, then Kashmir is certainly not the right place. You have to have love for the land and the people.

"Survival is the basic challenge for a businessman in Kashmir. There could be an indefinite shutdown anytime. I make the most of each normal day that comes. You never know whether it will be the same tomorrow or not."

This is the story of Javid Parsa, who defied odds to become the owner of Kashmir's only restaurant chain. In conversation with Rediff.com's Archana Masih.