Keonjhar: With the outbreak of pandemic, the demand for red ‘masala’ tea has increased manifold in this town. There are many tea stalls here that are serving this variant of tea. However, Bideshi Nayak’s ‘masala’ tea variant is probably the best among all.
Bideshi’s runs his tea stall is near the cinema hall. However, going by its appearance one wouldn’t tend to believe that such good quality of masala tea is available from such a nondescript shop. However, all those notions change after a few sips. Then only one will realise the amount of labour and ingredients that go into making such a perfect blend. As one sips the brew one can savour the taste of black pepper, lemon juice, ginger – all mixed in a makeshift cup.
Bideshi has loyal customers of different age groups and from different strata of the society. He keeps his shop open from morning to evening. The maximum number of customers however, flocks to the shop in the early hours of the morning and late in the evening. Bideshi charges Rs 5 per cup and the customers willingly shell out the amount. Some even go for two cups at one go.
Bideshi, now 71 years old, has been running the shop for the last 50 years. Initially, he used to sell snacks and sweets. With age he however, started selling tea only.
“I do not have the strength now to prepare other confectionary items. I am happy with my tea business. I sell both normal (with milk) and red tea as per the requirement of customers,” Bideshi pointed out.
“There was a time when people would look down on red or black tea, terming it as poor man’s beverage. But after the pandemic, the demand for red tea has grown manifold,” observed Bideshi. He added that he will continue to serve people tea till his last breath.
Bideshi stays with his wife in Gourtota Sahi locality of this town. He lost both his sons due to various diseases. Bideshi gets the pension provided by the Odisha government. However, his wife is yet to get the benefit. So he continues to earn an extra buck for his family from the tea shop.
However, in the process his well-wishers have grown in numbers. People, mostly known faces and some unknown, visit his stall. He spends time chit-chatting with them. “My customers also include those having four-wheelers. If they find my shop is closed, they return crestfallen,” he informed.
Local senior journalist, Jaykrushna Panda said they have seen Bideshi working at the stall since childhood. “He is very punctual and opens the shop dot on time every day. Customers like him for his amiable behaviour, honesty and hard work. So they flock to the shop,” Panda pointed out.