“My little boy just turned two, and it’s been almost seven months since I last saw him. I miss him every day. Sometimes, when I get a break between serving tea, I quickly make a video call just to see his face. It makes me feel better, especially being so far from home.

I come from a small farming family in Jalore, Rajasthan. Life back home wasn’t easy, so I moved to Hyderabad 18 years ago to find work. Back then, Hyderabad was quieter – fewer cars, fewer people. But slowly, the city and my stall both grew. People say my tea tastes like Rajasthani chai – maybe that’s why they keep coming back.

Running this stall takes up most of my time, but I try to visit my family twice a year. My mother is still out in the fields, even though she’s getting older, and my wife has started organic farming. This Diwali, I’m surprising them by going home with gifts. It’s our favorite time of year, and I can’t wait to be with them.

It’s been a long road to get here. I started working when I was just a boy, doing whatever jobs I could find. But opening this tea stall gave me something of my own, something to be proud of. Hyderabad has become my second home, and my dream is to build a house here and make sure my son gets the education he needs for a better future.”

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