Doodhpathri (Budgam), July 19:
A few kilometers ahead of picturesque Doodhpatri meadow, at Kadbur, tall conifers have enveloped a long stretch of road. The afternoon summer sun has no effect on a group of visitors who are leisurely relishing traditional tea on intricately-designed sheets, spread over wild grass.
The aroma of Nun Chai, pink coloured salt tea and Kehwa, green tea infused with Saffron, attracts the visitors to this corner.
A small-time farmer from adjacent Raiyar-Beerwah village Abdul Hamid Bhat has been serving Nun Chai to the visitors for the past one year.
In peak tourist season the spot remain abuzz with customers, mostly tourists. Encouraged by the response many villagers from adjacent villages of Raiyar-Beerwah, Raiyar-Yachh, Arizal, Kralpatri and Fazimal have also set up their stalls at the spot.
“It is my second year into tea-selling. Our economic condition is not that good. To earn few bucks, we decided to set up stalls here. We thought it as good business,” commented Bhat, who was busy serving Kehwa to visitors.
Many like Bhat in the villages surrounding Doodpathri don’t have a regular source of income to start any “big venture”. In absence of any financial help from the government to stand up on their own feet, the villagers took to this “small business”.
“We live a simple life. The milk we use in preparation of tea and the wheat that goes into preparation of bread comes from our homes. It is the brewing Kashmiri samovar that enriches the whole setting and the visitors coming here like it. They relish Kehwa and nun-chai,” added Bhat.
Courtesy: Greater Kashmir
