How Guwahati's tea stalls are reviving Assam's cultural heritage

Guwahati: Guwahati is witnessing a massive transformation with the establishment of numerous new restaurants, providing perfect venues for locals to celebrate and spend weekends with friends and family. The city’s development is marked by the arrival of large malls, gaming parlours, and luxurious dining options, adding to its allure and modern appeal.

However, these upscale restaurants come with a downside - they are not budget-friendly for everyday dining. As a result, the concept of small, themed tea stalls has gained popularity across various neighbourhoods, with names like Kadak Chaa, Chaa Met Sutta, and Cutting Chai becoming household names. These tea stalls are not only affordable but also offer the public a cozy spot to relax after work with colleagues and friends.

Tea, which has a special place as a cultural symbol in Assam, was steadily losing popularity due to the entry of foreign-influenced foods and beverages. However, the growth of these tea stalls has reignited the custom of tea drinking among the younger generation, reaffirming its importance and reintroducing it to the spotlight.

These tea booths serve as a reminder of Assam's rich tradition while also providing a welcoming and cost-effective socialising alternative for the community. Many of these stalls have sprung up in localities such as Survey, Khanapara, Jayanagar, Rajgarh, and Chandmari.

So, what inspired local enterpreneurs to open these stalls?

Business North East spoke to Lokesh Kashawa, the owner of Kesaria Chaiwala. He said, "Assam is well-known for its tea worldwide. In 2016, there were no tea vendors in the Northeast or Assam representing Assam tea. That’s when it came to my mind: why not open a tea stall instead?"

He further recalled that at the time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was promoting the concept of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). "In India, the unemployment rate is really high. Therefore, rather than running after government jobs, why don’t we generate jobs for ourselves and become independent?" Kashawa has suggested.

In 2016, the concept of a tea stall was foreign and there were no competitors. However, at present, there are more than a thousand tea stalls. "Our tea stall was the first tea outlet in the entire Northeast region, and with us, the tea matka industry has also been boosted, generating employment opportunities", Kashawa added.

What lures customers to these tea stalls?

A customer at Kesaria said, “I visit stalls Kadak Chaa and Kesaria Chaiwala almost every day because it’s a good place to hang out with friends and it’s pocket-friendly as well. During the evening hours, I like to come out of my home, and it becomes a little pricey to go to a restaurant. That’s the reason behind coming to this tea stall.”

The food and beverages offered at these tea stalls are priced reasonably, making them accessible to college students who frequent these spots almost every day. For two people, the cost of tea and snacks would be around Rs 200, which pales in comparison to expensive restaurants.

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