Amalesh Debbarma, a visionary entrepreneur from Tripura, has built a thriving business in the form of Hilltop, a restaurant that serves delicious local and seafood dishes to a loyal customer base. With a passion for quality food and customer satisfaction, Amalesh ensures that his staff is trained in his signature recipes, offering both a unique dining experience and fostering job creation in his community. In addition to running Hilltop, Amalesh also operates a small stall at NIT College, providing affordable meals to students and staff, solidifying his role as a community leader and job creator in the region.
Originally, Amalesh spent 10 years in Mumbai, working in the plastic recycling industry before returning to Tripura to pursue his passion for food. He launched his restaurant just before the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced him to shut down for three years, plunging him into financial difficulties due to the loans he took for the business. Despite these setbacks, he continues to push forward, although he has yet to fully utilise social media platforms like Instagram to promote his business.
The story of Hilltop is one of perseverance, community engagement, and resilience, all captured in the 28th episode of Impulse Model Entrepreneur Stories. Directed by Lewis Levent Özcan, the series showcases how small- to medium-sized businesses like Amalesh’s are vital to developing the local economy, creating jobs, and fostering a resilient marketplace that helps prevent unsafe migration and exploitation in the region. Through the support of Meta India and Impulse Empower, these stories are being brought to light, reflecting the impact that entrepreneurs from the eight northeastern states of India and North Bengal are having on their communities.
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The documentary series, produced by Impulse NGO Network and filmed by Lewis Levent Özcan, highlights these entrepreneurs as drivers of economic upliftment. The effort is part of a broader mission to develop sustainable businesses that can withstand challenges and contribute to the region’s overall growth. Supported by Meta India and partnered with Sunil Kalai, the initiative provides crucial visibility to local businesses, ensuring their stories reach a wider audience and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
Film production credits include Gezmek Films with Hasina Kharbhih as producer, and Impulse Model Press Lab and eastmojo.com as media partners.
Also read | Limhathung B Yanthan’s journey with Oyan Foods captured by Impulse NGO Network