By Our Correspondent
Beni, Dec. 14: Campus Chowk is popular all over Beni as the place where intellectuals gather to talk about the burning issues of the day. From politics to economy, from religion to science, every topic and subject finds its way into these discussions that are, more often than not, held over a cup of tea; tea served by 27-year-old Dipesh Baral.

Baral is the proprietor of the Matka Chiya, the now famous tea house at Campus Chowk. The tea stall attracts visitors from all over the town with its great tea. For a community that has rarely considered tea for its taste, Baral’s shop offers more than 20 different unique-tasting variants of tea.

Matka Chiya is fast emerging as the go-to establishment for tea connoisseurs from all over Myagdi which is helping Baral sustain his business, where he has employed five other people.
“I started this tea house to tell the youths that if they try their hand at a different and unique business, there are opportunities for them in their hometowns,” Baral told The Rising Nepal.

Baral opened his shop on April 26 this year. But a few days later, his district and almost the entire country closed down to contain the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was as if he stumbled right on his first step.
The lockdown hurt him financially. But he did not lose hope. He had faith in his business and in himself and as soon as the pandemic situation improved and the restrictions relaxed, he opened his shop again and customers started flocking.

The customers come for his tea but they also come for the container they get the tea in. As the name of his shop suggests, customers get their tea in a “Matka,” a small earthen pot.
“This is a great concept as this not only promotes the tea business but also helps those making the earthen pots earn a livelihood,” praised Bel Bahadur Katuwal, president of the Myagdi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Katuwal believes that the shop, started by a youth and employing other youths, is a great initiative which will foster positive change in the market. He assured that the Myagdi Chamber would do all it can to support Baral. “We are committed to promoting businesses and we would be remiss if we did not promote a business introducing new flavours and new practices like this,” he said.

Baral informed that he started Matka Chiya in Beni after an experience in Kathmandu. “I once drank tea in a tea house in the capital and I was pleasantly surprised to receive it in a Matka. So, I thought it would be a profitable concept to implement here in Beni as well. I do not feel I was wrong,” he shared.
Unlike most other tea stations and cafes, Baral has chosen not to offer wifi at Matka Chiya. Instead, he offers books. “We encourage people to bring their books here or take a few from our collection and bring them back after they finish reading,” he said.

At present, a large majority of the tea sippers that come to Baral’s shop are youths. Those who know or want to learn about the different tastes of tea also frequent the junction.
Looking around Matka Chiya and seeing the ambience, many wonder if Baral comes from an entrepreneurial background or if he went to a business school. Baral politely tells everyone ‘no’. “I am a computer engineer by profession and Matka Chiya was more of an experiment. By the looks of it, I feel it has been successful.”

Baral buys clay pots at a rate of Rs. 10 per piece and sells his tea at Rs. 50 per little cup and Rs. 80 per large cup.