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Chai n charcha at campus tea points
T ea isn’t just another beverage—it’s the elixir of life, when it comes to Delhiites. And just as important as the drink itself is the man behind it. Campus chaiwallahs have forever been a part of Delhi University student life, and their stalls are the very birthplace of the chai pe charcha phenomenon. We talk to some of the best in the chai business from DU’s North Campus, and discuss all the charcha that takes place at their stalls.
KHAN TEA STALL, PATEL CHEST
The Chai: This stall’s owner, Khan saab, makes special, cardamom-infused chai, and serves it with Maggi, omelettes, biscuits, and cream rolls. This tea has a simple formula— extra love, extra milk, and the right amount of sugar. A cuppa costs ₹10.
The Charcha: “Sabki apni baatein hain, aur sab kuchh na kuchh bata kar hi jaate hain. Kayi baar toh khoob saare bachche ghera bana ke baatein karte hain. Assignments, classes, aur politics se dil tootne tak, yahan har cheez ki khabar milti hai,” he says.
VISHNU TEA STALL, LAW FACULTY
The Chai: The ginger masala chai here is the most popular. Vishnu, the stall owner, pounds the ginger, tosses ingredients into the boiling milk, and serves it just when the tea is hot and of the right colour. His passion for his craft is evident in this cup, worth ₹10. The Charcha: “Subah bacche yahan baith ke padhte hai, shaam ko yaha mehfil banti hai. Kayi baar to bacche apne hasi mazaak mein humein bhi kheech lete hain, to accha bhi lagta hai. Hum khushi se chai pilaate hai, to usi bahane bachche apne dukh aur khushiyan humse bhi baant lete hai,” says Vishnu.
PANDIT JI KI CHAI, ARTS FACULTY
The Chai: Aashish, Pandit ji’s son, makes a killer masala chai, complete with a heady dose of cardamom and ginger. Boiled twice for perfection, this piping hot beverage is priced at ₹10.
The Charcha: “Election ka time ho, koi pradarshan ho, ya koi normal din ho, bheed yaha hamesha baithti hai. DU ya Arts Faculty mein kuchh ho aur woh baat yahan tak na pahunche, aisa hota hi nahi,” says Aashish.
JP TEA STALL, DELHI SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
The Chai: From masala tea to iced tea and lemon tea, there’s quite a variety here. Deepu bhaiya, who manages the stall, says, “Lemon tea to fancy wale peete hain.” Every variant of tea is priced at ₹8 a cuppa.
The Charcha: “College mein dost ho na ho, yaha zaroor bann jaate hai. Student log baith jaate hain aur baatein karte hai. Jab exam ho to yahan tension ka mahaul hota hai, jab fest aata hai toh raunak aa jaati hai,” says Deepu bhaiya.
SUDAMA TEA STALL, RAMJAS COLLEGE
The Chai: If chaiwallahs were rockstars, Sudama uncle would easily be one. He sits next to the Ramjas College wall, and can be spotted from far, brewing his blend in large boilers. The stall has students queue up since morning with flasks, and the evenings have cars lined up for the masala chai. Strong and flavourful, the chai has generous helpings of homemade masala, ginger, and cardamom. The stall has quite a social media presence, too. You can get a cup for ₹10. Khan Tea Stall (right) serves cardamom-laced tea and Vishnu Tea Stall (right below) also serves bread pakoras and fen
The Charcha:
“Din bhar yahan bachchon ka shor rehta hai, har cheez ki baat hoti hai. Koi chai kaise banate ho poochh leta hai, koi government ke baare mein rai maang leta hai. Kaafi log yahan par Facebook ya video dekh ke aa jaate hai, tab pata chalta hai ki kisi ne kuchh likha hai humaare baare mein.”
On International Tea Day, today, here’s introducing you to DU’s popular chaiwallahs and all the discussion that happens around them