In 2014, Masthan Basha Shaik, 63, arrived at the Dubai International Airport to finally return home after a two-decade-long stint as a truck driver in the UAE. Mr. Shaik, who had saved a considerable amount during his stay in the UAE, was brimming with excitement as he imagined his life as a steel merchant in his hometown, Rajampeta – a prominent trade centre in Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh.

However, his prolonged stay at the Dubai Airport due to a flight delay altered the course of his plans. With his flight to Chennai delayed by three hours, Mr. Shaik found himself wandering through the terminal until he arrived at a popular juice bar. He noticed a young couple sipping on a papaya smoothie, which tempted him to order one. After enjoying it, he immediately ordered a second. Mr. Shaik soon struck up a conversation with the bar attendant, who introduced himself as Rasool, 32, and mentioned he was from Chitvel — just 25 km from Basha’s hometown.

During their conversation, Mr. Shaik learned that the papaya used was imported from Railway Kodur, a town located between Rajampeta and Chitvel in Andhra Pradesh. Piqued by interest, he arrived in Chennai with a new business module focused on papaya cultivation. Within weeks, the would-be steel trader had purchased a three-acre plot in Penagalur mandal.

Today, a decade later, Mr. Shaik’s two daughters are settled in Dubai, where their husbands run four juice bars and trade in export-quality fruit pulp across the UAE.