Masala Tea

As the clock struck four in the twilight hours every morning, as the slumbering postcolonial Indian city of Kolkata slowly woke up to face another day, Shibnath Sammadar or SS would get busy opening his 150-year-old tea-shanty.

Located diagonally opposite the main gate of Scottish Church College, on the north-eastern wall corner of the Hedua Talab lake, at the intersection of Urquhart Square (today’s Shashi Bhusan Sarkar lane) and Beadon Street (renamed now as Abhedananda Road), the tea stall was opened by SS’s grandpappy in the year 1870.

Business success was, however, never the Sammadar family’s cup of tea. Even after three generations of running the stall, they were unable to make a concrete structure, and the shop always remained an illegal roadside tin and bamboo tea-shanty.

Though in plain sight, the shop was a rickety and ramshackle suit-stained street-stall like a million more in the city, however, in reality, it was a big part of the region’s history. The shop had served tea perhaps to every notable person born and brought up in this part of North Calcutta’s historical vicinity.

SS claimed that right from the famous Indian Nationalist and freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, to the renowned self-made movie star Mithun Chakraborty, all had drunk tea from this tea-shanty.

Well, it was certainly true, as both of these eminent men along with scores of many other legendary Calcuttans had studied at the Scottish, and the tea stall being bang opposite to the college had to have served them tea.

Some other notable alumni of the college worth mentioning include the world-renowned philosopher and yogi Swami Vivekananda, Indian film director Mrinal Sen, stage actor and theatre founder Shishir Kumar Bhaduri, and politician TV personality and quiz master Derek O’Brien. The list is, however, nearly infinite and would run into pages if one starts mentioning.

Now in the year 1990, long gone were the days of the Bengal Renaissance, the boom of physical culture and meditating, the era of plays and theatres, or the Indian Freedom Movement and the boiling passion of the revolting Bengalis. Now it was a different generation hooked on to mobile phones and highspeed internet connectivity.

Irrespective of all the changes, the tea stall managed to survive in this part of the city’s geography. Now at the age of seventy-five after inheriting, seeing, and witnessing a lifetime of history, SS had become a notable storyteller for the new generation in the vicinity.

“Ki dadu, itihasher pata aaj ki bolchey (Hey grandpa, what is the pages of history saying today),” asked a punky college kid with spikes on his head and reflective golden shades to SS, while taking a sip of red tea with lime and sugar, sitting on a wobbly stool along with few of his smart-alec friends at the tea shanty.

“Lompoter dol tora ki bujhbi itihash, tora shob bhushi maal (Hoodlums, what do you understand of history, all of you are empty vessels),” chided back the old man while adding massive amounts of sugar to a suit-stained antique kettle of simmering milk tea. It had become a habit of the students to pull the old man’s legs and instigate agitative reactions from him.

Of all the things that SS was known for, his biggest identity was Mr Know-it-all. First of all, the man really had some knowledge. Though he had never been to school, spending a lifetime in front of the college had its effects. He simply knew everything, and what he did not know, he would find out, however, his only bad quality was he could not admit not-knowing something, and always accepted a challenge no matter how irrational it may be.

His knowledge came from professors and students, from the two Bengali and two English newspapers that he bought for his customers daily. He was ever attentive and inquisitive to ask in detail about the news from his customers who read from the papers while sipping on their bhars or disposable and crooked earthen cups of tea.

Bengali’s or rather Calcuttans could not live without their tea. It was a habit inherited from the Britishers who were crazy about the brew and were the ones to introduce cultivation of the plant in India’s North-Eastern regions of Assam and Darjeeling. In fact, it was here in the Indian Botanical Garden of Calcutta, where for the first time the tea-plant from China was brought and successfully nurtured to be cultivated in the Himalayan regions.

Today India is the 2nd largest tea exporter in the world, supplying 12.6% of the total worldwide consumption. Long gone were the Britishers from the country, however, along with the many things that they left behind, the habit of drinking tea was perhaps their greatest gift to the people of Calcutta and the Bengalis, and this ensured the survival of the Sammadar family.

Well, the tea served at the SS tea-shanty was basically of three kinds. First, there was black tea, then the tangy red lime tea and thirdly the Bengali’s favourite regular milk tea. Customers would further customise these; like one would ask for a black without sugar, while another would request a red with more lime in it. The permutation combinations were many, and SS uniquely remembered the specific kind that each of his regular customers liked.

Apart from these three, there was a fourth very unique one-of-a-kind tea served at the stall, and it was called the Sammadar Special Masala Tea. There was no customisation allowed to it. It was a subtly sweet milk tea with a secret masala recipe. The likes of which one could not find anywhere else in the city. Many tea makers from the city and beyond and even some world-renowned tea-coffee chain store had approached SS to sell them his recipe, but the old man would not part with it.

SS claimed that the secret recipe was developed by his grandpappy when the shop was opened in 1870. It was handed down to him as the only treasure of the family. He claimed that the masala was a powder made of thirty-two secret ingredients. On tasting, the brew a person could perhaps identify, honey, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, tulsi, clove, and a few other things, however, no one had ever correctly recognised all the thirty-two elements. Many other shops had tried to replicate the taste, but till date, not one had succeeded.

The oldtimer had managed to give his son Hiren a good education, and the lad was doing well in life, happily working at an event management company, and living with his wife and two kids in Delhi. His dream was however to be an independent entrepreneur and wanted to initiate a startup someday and etch his own history. He was a loving son and begged his father many times to give up the shop and come and live with him in the capital city. SS, however, would not leave his beloved tea stall and darling Kolkata city.

A few years back the old man had sadly lost his wife and now was all alone managing the tea-shanty. As his son was never interested in selling tea and had always been busy initially with his studies, and later in perusing a career, the old man had not taught him the secret recipe. Now he knew that after his time there was no one to run his beloved tea stall, and the secret 150-year-old famous tea recipe would seize to be. This thought was his constant source of silent agony.

Then, in the winter month of December in 1990, Hiren came to Kolkata for a few days on a holiday with his wife and kids. This time he was determined to convince his father to give up the stall and come to live with him permanently in Delhi. He even thought that seeing and experiencing the love of the grandkids, his father might agree, however, the old man was stubborn and would not abandon his stall for whatever reason it may be.

During the vacation, Hiren helped out his father at the tea stall. He had not done it in many years. When he was in school, sometimes he used to help his dad on the weekends. The old man was really happy to see his son help out, and as the day progressed, he realised that his son was good at making tea and running the stall, however, he had chosen another career path, and this was perhaps not his cup of tea.

At night, back at his home, a small room in the Goabagan slum, while playing with the grandkids SS realised that there was more to life than making tea. Perhaps it was time to give up his stall, the secret recipe, and live the remainder of his days with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids in Delhi.

Before going to sleep he discussed his dilemma with his son openly. On one hand, he said that he wanted to go and live with him in Delhi and on the other hand he could not see the death of his secret Masala tea family recipe. That night both father and son could not sleep properly, both kept on thinking about any possible remedy.

The next morning as faint rays of sunlight entered the room through the broken windowsill, Hiren sprang up from his bed and shook his father awake from sleep. “Dad I challenge you, there is at least one person in Kolkata who can crack your recipe,” declared an excited son to his father who was still dazed and sleepy.

“No way son, no one on Earth can crack the recipe,” muttered SS in half-sleep. “What if I challenge you, that there is someone in this city, who will be able to break the secret of your recipe. Then will you give up the shop and come and live with me in Delhi,” challenged Hiren to his father, who was now more attentive.

“Well son, the day someone is able to name all the thirty-two ingredients to my secret masala tea recipe, I will happily give up the stall and come to live with you in the city of Djins,” declared SS with a broad smile and a toothless grin.

It was a Sunday, a day of rest for SS and the tea stall. The family decided to visit the zoo for a picnic. After roaming and eating their afternoon lunch, when SS lied down under a banyan tree to rest for a bit, while his daughter-in-law and grandkids were looking at the nearby bird cages, Hiren came up to his father and shared an idea that was brewing within him.

“Dad as you are always up for a challenge, I suggest we organise a one-day contest for people to come at our tea stall, drink a cup of tea, and write the names of the thirty-two ingredients that he or she might think to be in the secret masala recipe. To make things a bit fare you can keep fifty ingredients in small cups, which the contestants may smell and see to make their selection,” shared Hiren with his father with much enthusiasm.

“We should charge an entry fee of rupees one-hundred also, in this way we could earn some money too,” added SS with much glee. “That’s not a bad idea dad, however, if someone guesses the recipe correctly you have to promise to give up the tea stall and the recipe to that person,” added Hiren with a bit of anxiety.

“Ha! No one on earth can guess it. I accept the challenge, let us plan this thing,” laughed the old man and started discussing and planning the event with his son, sitting under the shade of the old banyan tree in the zoo, while his grandkids and daughter-in-law roamed close by admiring nature and animal beauty.

Over the course of the next week, the contest was planned and heavily promoted by word of mouth, through social media and printed handbills. Hiren’s PR experience made all the difference. Then on Sunday, the 23rd of December in 1990, the day of the event there was an overwhelming crowd to participate in the contest and win. There were teashop owners, tea aficionados, common folks, and even big businessmen, all wanting to get their hands on the secret recipe. That day the old man realised how famous was the SS Masala Tea.

Contestants lined up to form a massive queue, which snaked all around the Hedua talab lake. They were more than happy to pay the one-hundred-rupee contest fee, on paying which they drank their cup of tea and got a printed and signed form to fill in their application or guess the recipe. Once they submitted the form, SS would quickly look at it to find out if the person had guessed the composition correctly.

It was a massive event the likes of which hardly had anyone in the area previously seen. The punky college kid with spikes on his head and reflective golden shades, along with his smart-alec friends helped in making and serving tea and managing the event under the guidance of Hiren, whose professional evet management skill came in handy.

At 5 o’clock in the evening when the thousandth form was submitted and handed over to SS, he could not believe what he was seeing. Unable to say anything he remained mum for the next few minutes. Then gaining back his composure with a frail and shaky voice he spoke up “We have a winner who has correctly guessed the recipe.”

At the bottom of the form was written the name Hiren Sammaddar, which the old man could not believe. Tears rolled down his eyes as he realised what had happened. He always thought that his son did not know much about making tea and hardly had any interest in the secret recipe.

All those years, during his childhood, when Hiren worked at the shop, he had always tried to guess the recipe, and later, when he went to work in Delhi, he secretly kept on trying to crack it as a hobby. During this visit working at the tea stall with his father, he had finally figured out all the elements in it. Then came this brilliant idea to him, through which he could earn the recipe and the respect to have it from his father and mould his father’s mind to give it up for a life of rest with the grandkids.

Today Hiren has come back from Delhi and settled in Kolkata permanently. With the money earned through the contest and his personal savings he has opened two stores of SS Masala Tea in the city and is planning to roll out the third one in a posch vicinity. He has become the entrepreneur that he had always wanted to be, and the Sammadar Special Masala Tea continues to survive in the Kolkata city.

Masala Tea


Copyright © 2021 TRISHIKH DASGUPTA

This work of fiction, written by Trishikh Dasgupta is the author’s sole intellectual property. All rights are reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including printing, photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, send an email to the author at trishikh@gmail.com or get in touch with Trishikh on the CONTACT page of this website.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Trishikh

Trishikh Dasgupta

Adventurer, philosopher, writer, painter, photographer, craftsman, innovator, or just a momentary speck in the universe flickering to leave behind a footprint on the sands of time..READ MORE

116 Comments Add yours

  1. Ola G says:

    Lovely story, Trishikh! Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      My pleasure. Much appreciate you liking my stories always.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. elvira797mx says:

    Trishikh, very interesting post, and delicious tea.
    Thank you for share.
    Take care
    Elvira

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      So glad that you liked it Elvira. I cannot thank you enough for always being supportive of my writing. Really treasure all you feedback, likes, and visits to my blog.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. elvira797mx says:

        It is a pleassure, thank you for your kindness, and your support, and likes, and visits too Trishikh.
        Take care a lot.
        Elvira

        Liked by 3 people

  3. Arpita Banerjee says:

    Amazing!! ✨💯

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Always appreciate your visits to my blog, reading and liking my stories.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Shreya Sinha says:

    Lovely story! 😇😇

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thank you so much, so glad that you liked it. Do visit my blog again, there are many more foot stories, some of them I am sure you would like.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Shreya Sinha says:

        I’ve followed you and now I’ll never miss your amazing stories. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Trishikh says:

        Glad to hear. I appreciate your encouragement. Do visit again.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. mcurry09 says:

    Well done, Trishikh.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thanks Marthe, your appreciation always means a lot.

      Like

  6. Halim says:

    I’m glad it was Hiren who guessed correctly and got the recipe the best way possible, proving he was really his father’s son, and both men got their wish for the future. Thanks for this lovely story, Trishikh, I really enjoyed it!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      You always make my day Halim, with your detailed analysis of my stories. I always look forward to your comments. You are right, I wanted this to be a positive story wih a happy ending. Few of my last stories have been a bit darker.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Dinesh Suna says:

    Hey Trishikh, I continue to admire at the unique style of highlighting seemingly innocuous day to day matters in the best possible way… The secret recipe of 32 ingredients of SS Masala tea 🍵 sounds like the 56 secret ingredients of one of my favourite liquors jägermeister 😍… Keep it up brother…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thanks Dinesh, much appreciate you taking the time to read my stories. Your words really encourage me. Your feedback is very precious to me. So glad that you like my stories. Who knows one day we might share a glass of Jagermeister or a cup of masala tea.

      Like

  8. Athira says:

    Interesting post

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thanks Athira, glad that you like it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Athira says:

        Most welcome Trishikh🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

        Liked by 2 people

  9. Anamika says:

    Incredible! Loved it.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thanks Anamika, always a pleasure to bring forth a good read.

      Like

  10. Incredibly beautiful story Trishikh. Right amount of humour, history, and emotions. I was hoping the son did what he eventually did, and it was delight. A winning ending… 💪🤛🤘🙏🙏

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Well Sundaram you make my day with your kind words. I was very doubtful about this story, not so sure how it would go. Figured out the ending during the last hour of writing it. I guess sometimes things just work out, no matter how hopeless you may think it to be. Always appreciate your support. Keep on reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. All my pleasure Trishikh. It was really an awesome story. There was the flavour of Rabindranath Tagore there as well that I love so much. Family, sensitivity and simplicity. Keep it up my friend. Cheers!

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Trishikh says:

        Your words make my day once again Sundaram. You are the 2nd person to have seen a tint of Tagore in the hues of my writing, which is a great honour for me. Though I would just be happy to even be 1% of noble laureate. You have rightly spotted, family, simplistic, and sensitivity. Some of my stories are written that way and some have a other styles. I look forward to you coming and reading some of my other tales as well. It’s always a treat to have a fellow writer like you analyse my work. I still remember your piece about the colege days, which inspired me a lot.

        Like

      3. I sure will check your other stories, Trishikh. Your stories have soul. Keep up the good work.👍

        Liked by 2 people

      4. Trishikh says:

        Thank you Sundaram. You are an amazing writer too. Look forward to interact further in this world of creative writing.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Interesting and engaging story. Nice flow. Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      So glad that you like it. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and reading the story. I write and publish one story every weekend, do visit again.

      Liked by 2 people

  12. Very well written. Description is so well. Even the minute things are well enough described so as to imagine them happening in reality. Keep up the good work and keep sharing to inspire many like me to keep getting better. Stay safe and healthy. K.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Can’t thank you enough for your kind words. They encourage me to a great extent. Do visit again, there are many other stories that you might find interesting. Will keep on getting better at this, after all that’s what a writer wants to be.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I read a few of them already and they were equally lovely as the first one. If you haven’t already then please start writing your books. His world needs writers like you. Keep your spirits high. K.

        Liked by 3 people

      2. Trishikh says:

        I am so glad that you find my writing interesting. I write and publish one story every weekend. Maybe one day I will publish a book too, who knows, but for now I try my best to give the world a story on my blog/ website every week.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. That’s so nice and thoughtful of you to do what you are doing. But I’ll surely wait for you to publish your book soon. Happy blogging. K.

        Liked by 3 people

      4. Trishikh says:

        Sure hopefully one day this dream will come true too.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. This dream has to come true very soon because your readers want to read more of your amazing writing. Good luck. Looking forward to more such posts on your blog. K.

        Liked by 3 people

      6. Trishikh says:

        Thank you once again for encouraging me so much.

        Liked by 1 person

      7. It’s absolutely my pleasure. Take care, Trishikh. K.

        Liked by 3 people

  13. As usual you nail the details in your story like all your stories. This time….Masala Tea feathered with simple and ordinary chai wala’s story. The everyday incidents we see but with a touch of secret recipes and alike. Loved reading it.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      It makes my day to read such appreciative words in the morning. Thank you for your constant support in encouraging me. Yes this was a simple story, after the heavier ones, however, I did not know how to end it till the very last moment of writing. Thankfully it has come out okay.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Abirami says:

    Hi, it’s nice stumbling upon your blog. Your writing brought me memories from my trip to Calcutta years back. Still remember the friendly tea shop owner who had a little shop by the street. We had the most amazing masala chai in rustic clay pots! I found that experience both humbling and soulful 😌

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Am really glad that my story was able to rekindle your memory. Yes Calcutta is indeed an amazing place of mixed cultures, a warm city with lots of love. Many of my stories are centred around Kolkata, West Bengal, and India. Do visit my blog again, I am sure you would some of the other stoy interesting too.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Abirami says:

        surely 🙂 I def look forward to reading more of your stories soon!

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Trishikh says:

        It would be my pleasure.

        Like

  15. Stories are the essence of life, but there is an art in telling stories. That’s makes such a huge difference to a story, everything remaining the same the way we tell reveals the heart, and it is an art. The way you have weaved the various elements of storytelling in such deft touch and details, it is not just absorbing to read but deeply intriguing. There is always some part of our life reflects in every story we hear and this story of yours connects so beautifully. I liked the twist in the tale, the contest was masterstroke…thanks for sharing such lovely stories. You have wonderful blog and looking forward to reading more such stories. 😀

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Reading your encouraging comment in the morning has really made my day. You rightly say, that telling the story in a particular way makes all the difference. I try my best to perfect this passion, presenting one story every week. This is very challenging and demanding, given that I have a 8 to 10 hour daily job, however, words of encouragement such as yours makes all my efforts worthwhile. I will keep on trying my best to bring forward more of these stories. Happy reading to you.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I can fully understanding, it is never easy when we have the day job to do. Top of it creative writing adds to the challenge, writing such stories sap you of energy. This work is possible only when you have the passion, each story of yours reflect that profusely. Thanks for sharing such riveting stories, keep writing!!!

        Liked by 3 people

      2. Trishikh says:

        Yes, very true, writing short stories is my ‘ikigai’, the one true thing that gives me the greatest joy, so it is possible irrespective of all the difficulties.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thanks Denise, always look forward to you liking my stories.

      Like

  16. Such a lovely story and i was thinking it was true…not a well crafted fiction. And now I’m really craving a tea 🙂 wish i had that recipe!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thanks Melanie! Your comment makes my day. So glad that you liked the story. Yes it is fiction, but similar small and old tea shops do exist in the area in front of the Scottish Church College.

      Like

  17. sakshisoni says:

    Amazing story!😃✨

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thank you so much. Glad that you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Jorge Medico says:

    You are a gifted storyteller. I enjoyed your tales. Be well.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thank you so much Jorge. Do visit again and read more of my stories. Your words of encouragement will help me continue writing.

      Like

  19. Bloomingrose says:

    Wow masala tea…. ☕☕☕

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Glad that you like it.

      Like

  20. Rahul Mate says:

    True, it is we Indians who have invented Masala tea and offered to world.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Yes indeed it is one of our gifts to the world.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Rahul Mate says:

    Very well written, you pained picture with your writing.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thank you so much Rahul. Your encouraging words gives me great joy and boosts my zeal to keep on writing these stories.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Rahul Mate says:

        It is your writing is a window for a person like me who is in Pune Maharashtra. Lots of love. I have high regards for West Bengal, Calcutta and people like you. Who write to express.

        Liked by 4 people

      2. Trishikh says:

        Rahul you greatly honour me with your compliment. It makes my day to hear these words of appreciation from you. I will do my best to write many of such stories.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. nedhamson says:

    Reblogged this on Ned Hamson’s Second Line View of the News.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Always a pleasure to see Ned reblog my stories.

      Liked by 2 people

  23. Trishikh Ji it’s wonderful story.Your way of presentation and narration is excellent.keep writing and keep inspiring us and have a nice day.🙏💐👌

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thank you Prakaash, nothing more makes a writer’s day when he reads a word of appreciation for his writing from someone in the morning. Thank you so much for support my writing. Will keep on doing my best to bring forth more of such stories for all to enjoy.

      Liked by 3 people

  24. I love Masala tea after the curry especially.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Oh yes! It’s very good to have it after a spicy meal. I enjoy it too.

      Liked by 2 people

  25. Wayan says:

    I like this story, the son has saved his family inherintance. Thank you Trishikh

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Yes Wayan you are right. The son indeed saved the family inheritance. Many sons do not get to do this or fail to do it.

      Liked by 3 people

  26. Anam Gour says:

    I need your help

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      What kind of help do you need? You may contact me through email on my contact us page.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Anam Gour says:

        Email I’d please🙏

        Liked by 3 people

  27. Subhraroy says:

    Very nostalgic

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thank you, glad that this stirred your emotions.

      Liked by 2 people

  28. I’m a tea drinker myself, so I can appreciate this story very much.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      That’s so nice. I love tea too – different kinds, though I rarely drink with milk nowadays.

      Liked by 4 people

  29. King kong says:

    I like masala tea it is fantastic tea.
    thanks for sharing your thoughts to us.
    Do you like masala tea?

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Oh yes, I love it too. Though tese days I usually prefer tea without milk. Still Masala Tea holds a dear place in my heart.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. King kong says:

        oh thanks, What’s about green tea and mint tea.

        Liked by 3 people

      2. Trishikh says:

        Yes certainly, I drink a lot of green, black, Camomile, white and other kinds of herb and flower based teas. I also drink coffee (black) once a day.

        Liked by 3 people

      3. King kong says:

        oh good thanks for sharing

        Liked by 3 people

  30. NOVEL PRIDE says:

    Such a nice post.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Much appreciate your appreciation.

      Liked by 2 people

  31. Harshi says:

    What a heart warming story, brimming with so much love!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Trishikh says:

      Thank you Harish. Yes, lot of emotion came out in this story. Sometimes I just keep on writing, not knowing how the story would progress or end, but somehow the tale falls in place, and the result is appealing.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Harshi says:

        It’s Harshi 😀

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Trishikh says:

        So sorry for the misspell. The dam auto-correct feature in the dictionary can really be punishing at times.

        Liked by 2 people

  32. gabychops says:

    As soon as I read the name Swami Vivekananda, Trishikh, I sat upright, because he is my guru, and I love his teaching. I wrote four-part biography
    in my blog of this unique man.

    Your story is brilliant, Trishikh, as all your stories are, and as I love tea,
    strong, with milk, no sugar, the topic was an additional bonus.

    Thank you.

    Joanna

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Trishikh says:

      Dear Joanna, yes I know of your love and reverence for Swamiji. Have also might have shared with you – that I too am much influenced by his example and teachings. He and I are from the same locality. My house is very close to his. You will find his, name, reference, and philosophical flair in many of my stories.

      I too love all sorts of tea without milk and Sugar just like you.

      Thank you for this lovely comment. Like always your words encourage me much.

      Like

      1. gabychops says:

        You are welcome.

        Joanna

        Liked by 1 person

  33. Arun Singha says:

    Awesome post on Tea 🍵
    I was going through your posts. Had a glance on many posts. All are unique and have a great meaning and message for mankind.
    But, I have found this post most interesting! Right now at 4:30 PM, I was looking for tea☕ and by seeing the picture a glass of tea, I am now going out to have similar tea from a special tea vendor here, just 200 mtrs away from my house.
    Without tea, we can’t make our days.
    Excellent post!
    Have a great time 😊🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Trishikh says:

      Dear Arun, thanks for all the beautiful likes and comments to many of my stories. I really treasure them. Interacting with you is a big delight for me.

      Glad that my post gave you the craving to consume a cup of tea.

      I too love my tea and even coffee.

      Like

      1. Arun Singha says:

        Thank you so much Trishikh Ji 🙏
        After a long time I was going through your posts. Your posts are something important and says something in deep.
        Your posts are eye opener ☺️
        I don’t get sufficient time to read all those posts which are full of information and insights.
        The KALI is a great post. All are very nice.
        Lastly I had my tea from shop as you have shown in picture.
        When I was in Ahmedabad, I used take these types of masala tea in glasses only.
        Here in Kolkata I take it in earthen pot and always the big one.
        I love Punjabi chai(tea)
        Marwadi chai also very nice.
        I have tested many kinds of tea through out my service life in different states like Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Bihar.
        The beauty of chai in Patna is another topic.
        Jala hua chai: Means the milk of the tea is burnt initially to make it typical flavour. Also there is famous tea ” Malai marke” in Gujarat.
        I have enjoyed this blog to the fullest.
        Thank you so much for sharing ☺️
        Regards 🙏

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Trishikh says:

        Dear Arun, I like in a village called Mastichak, near Parsa, 40 kms from Patna, in the Saran District, hence I do get a chance to enjoy burnt milk tea now and then. Similar to you, I too have lived and worked all over India, so have got opportunities to taste various kinds of tea available across India. Though nowadays I hardly take milk tea, it more, black, green, flower and herb based teas for me for many years now.

        Like

      3. Arun Singha says:

        Thank you so much for sharing this.
        Totally same is the case with me.
        I like green tea and black tea.
        Thanks a lot for sharing your experience with burnt Tea.
        My first posting was in Patna Airport.
        I love litti and began chokha.
        I miss that.
        Have a blissful time ahead 😊🙏

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Trishikh says:

        Litti Chokha is great, I don’t eat it often, but during my college days, I used to eat them whenever I visited the Bankers of Ganges in Kolkata at the Nimtolla burning ghats. The taste still lingers in my mouth.
        Wishing you a blissful time too.

        Like

      5. Arun Singha says:

        Thank you so much for sharing your likes. For long long years I have not eaten litti. Not available in our area, Mall road, Dumdum.
        Will try sometime, authentic litti chokha.😀
        Have a blissful time.
        Regards 😊🙏

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Trishikh says:

        If you ever go to Nimtolla Ghat near Bidhan Sarani, besides the banks of the Ganges, do try out the litti chokha there.

        Like

      7. Arun Singha says:

        Thank you so much for sharing this information once again.
        I will surely go and enjoy it.
        Have a great time ahead 😊🙏

        Liked by 1 person

      8. Trishikh says:

        You are most welcome Arun. I am sure you would enjoy.

        Like

      9. Arun Singha says:

        I am thankful to you for all beautiful comments and likes on my posts. You are very nice person with a very good heart. You write on humanity. You have a special ability to express the reality through a story. Due to limitations of my time schedule I couldn’t read your posts. I have to read. I can know many things that I have not imagined so far.
        Thank you so much for your support and good wishes 😊🙏

        Liked by 1 person

      10. Trishikh says:

        You are too kind with your words Arun, but I treasure them. Glad to be able to share and learn as well.

        Like

      11. Arun Singha says:

        Take care always
        Will meet someday
        😊🙏

        Liked by 1 person

      12. Trishikh says:

        You too good friend.

        Like

      13. Arun Singha says:

        😃🙏😌👍

        Liked by 1 person

  34. worldphoto12 says:

    buon fine settimana.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Trishikh says:

      A great weekend to you too dear friend.

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Masala Tea – is such detail – simply amazing. Masala Tea is one of my favorites and most delicious ones: “karak” (tight), I have had in small unnamed tea shops and not at some 5-star hotels or a platform where competitors demonstrate their teas.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Trishikh says:

      Yes, masala tea can be really amazing, and the best of it is usually found in the most unlikeliest of places. The best of shops usually have no name.

      Like

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