Mohan Tea Stall

If you go to the GIDC Estate 1 in Sector 33, Phase II, you will find Mohan Tea Stall. This is an industrial area, so there are always trucks moving and the sound of machinery in the distance. We set up our stall here because we knew the workers would need a place to sit for a few minutes and have a cup of tea. We get here very early, usually before the first shift starts, to get the water boiling. The smell of ginger and tea leaves fills the air as the sun starts to come up over the factories. We use a small gas stove and big metal pots that have been used so many times they are permanently stained. It is a dusty environment because of all the construction and factory work nearby, so we are constantly wiping down the wooden benches. People don't come here for a fancy experience; they come because they are tired and want something hot to drink. We hear a lot of stories about the work inside the estate, and we’ve become friends with many of the drivers and laborers. We don't have a website or any marketing stuff. We just have our small spot in Phase II where we serve tea and maybe some biscuits. It’s a tough environment with all the heat and noise, but it’s where we belong. We just keep the tea flowing as long as there are people around to drink it.