Magh Mela Graduates Sell Tea: Startup Better Than Job
At the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, Sunday was the Mauni Amavasya bath. More than 4.5 crore people came to take a dip in the Sangam. Obviously, the income of people doing business in the fair area also increased. Perhaps it was the highest single-day earnings so far.
The fair doesn’t just have people selling toothbrushes and perfumes or applying sandalwood tilak. After getting a good education, people are building their own careers instead of taking jobs.
For these educated youth, tea shops are the biggest attraction. Youth who have completed M.Tech, B.Tech and graduation are opening their own tea stalls at the Sangam ghat. They say – their own business is better. Though it’s small, it’s our own work. There’s more security in this than a job.
Dainik Bhaskar found 3 such youth, who range from engineering degree holders to graduates. However, they are earning well daily by selling tea at the Magh Mela. These people are selling tea and also supplying milk. Read the story of all three…
This is Sandeep, who is handling milk supply work across the fair area.
1. Sandeep, M.Tech
Two brothers in police, one engineer, says – didn’t like the job We reached a tea shop in front of the Sangam police station in the Magh Mela area. Here we met Sandeep. During the conversation, we learned that Sandeep has completed his M.Tech from SHUATS Agricultural University in Naini, Prayagraj. A large number of people coming to the Magh Mela drink tea made from the milk he supplies.
Sandeep says – I am from Ambedkar Nagar. We are 4 brothers. Two of my brothers are in the Delhi Police, while the third brother is an engineer.
He further explains – After studies, job offers came, but I didn’t like doing a job. My father passed away one and a half years ago. After this, I planned to start my own business.
I have a friend who owns a dairy, started the milk supply work from there. But I have come to the Magh Mela not just to supply milk, but with a spirit of service.
Mohit, who is doing BTech says – Our special jaggery tea has become famous in the entire area.
2. Mohit, BTech
After BTech, Mohit became a tea seller Mohit is from Jaunpur. He says – I did BTech from Bundelkhand University. During COVID times, when I couldn’t find any work, I started the tea business.
We started making special jaggery tea. People liked this tea. We set up tea stalls in Jaunpur, Kaudihar, Prayagraj and Azamgarh. Now we have started this for the first time in the Magh Mela.
He said – There is a shortage of engineers in our country. That’s why I did BTech, but later changed my mind about taking up a job. 22 boys are associated with us in the tea business.
Their families are also running on this work. In the coming days, we are working with the target of making this tea a brand.
Poonam is selling tea with a board displaying ‘Graduate Tea Seller’.
3. Poonam, Graduate
Put up a board saying Graduate Tea Seller, says – doing it with service spirit While talking to two people, our team reached the Magh Mela area on Old GT Road. Here it was written ‘Graduate Tea Seller’. The girl working at this tea stall is named Poonam. Poonam has studied till graduation. She says – My husband passed away just 3 months ago.
I have two children. When Magh Mela started, we noticed that a large number of people were coming here. Why not start some work from here? Then, I opened this tea stall.
Poonam says – I have come to the Magh Mela with a spirit of service. I tried to do something better while staying in Mother Ganga’s lap.
We asked – You are a girl, didn’t you face difficulties doing this work? She says – When starting the tea shop, relatives first refused. However, we had decided to do this work. Though after explaining, everyone agreed later. Only then could start this work.
Why name it Graduate Tea Wali? On this, Poonam says that this name seemed a bit unique. Along with this, people will know that I am also a graduate, which will make people treat me well. Also, I have maintained quality.
Sanatani shop went viral on social media Once again, a Sanatani tea shop has been set up at the Magh Mela. This was the most viral tea shop on social media during Mahakumbh. At this tea shop, jaggery is used as additional sugar. Here, tea with different flavours is prepared and served to people.
Sonam selling tea after coming from West Bengal Sonam has become the centre of attraction these days at Sangam Ghat. In the Magh Mela, she keeps roaming around with a tea container. Sonam, who lives in Siliguri, West Bengal, has come with her husband to do the tea and water business.
Sonam’s husband sells water, while she sells tea herself. Sonam says, ‘I came to Kumbh last year’. That’s when I planned to sell tea here. My family members are angry with us, but I will convince them.
