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Calcutta say Cha Cha Cha...

Ever wondered what powers a Ferrari Car? The Ferrari gets its beastly power from its special fuel. Similarly the city of Calcutta runs on Cha (Tea in Bengali). Tea is perhaps the reason behind most of the activities of the city dwellers of Calcutta. Across the city be it in the household or the streets of Calcutta, finely crafted tea is available everywhere. Tea acts as the bridge that connect the city dwellers with each other in one string. A perfect tea does not require any occasion, It can be compliment you at all emotions be it of fun, excitement, anger, stress or depression. 

Ek Cup Cha (A Cup of Tea)

                      Tea might have its roots in China but it got infused in the day to day life of the people of Calcutta like any other daily activity. At Calcutta from the lady of the house to the Rickshaw puller and from the lazy office employee to the busy traffic police, all are the part of the afternoon 'Cha Khawa' ('Drinking tea' in Bengali) culture. People across the globe might laugh about the fact, but we Bengali's proudly love to say 'Cha khabo' or 'Cha Khabe' as if we will eat tea instead of drinking it. For the people of Calcutta Cha may be 'Dudh Cha', 'Lal Cha', 'Lebu Cha', 'Masala Cha', 'Darjeeling Tea', 'Assam Tea', 'CTC Tea' or 'Green Tea'. But the Cha must be accompanied with any one of 'Marie Biscuit', 'Lero Biscuit'(Biscuits made at local Bakery), 'Jhal Muri' or 'Tele Bhaja'(Freshly fried Fritters).
                      Tea has been a large part of the cities cash crop economy. In 1953, as per the 'Tea Act' of the 'Government of India' the 'Tea Board of India' was setup and its head office was stationed at our very own City of Joy. The organization was established to check  the quality of Tea and auctioning of all the Tea produced in India for its import or export. Besides the Tea board the micro level economy of the city comes from its tea stalls and vendors. There is hardly any part of the city where you won't find a tea stall. There are small tea stalls in nearly every lanes of the city of Calcutta. The tea stalls of Calcutta are nothing less than the studios of BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) as you could get access to everything happening around the World from politics, sports, science to fashion. 'Addaa'(Chatting in small groups) and 'Cha' are the two faces of the Bengali Culture, People in Calcutta can discuss on any random topic like the experts if they have a hot cup of tea in their one hand and a cigarette in the other.

Tea at Balwant Singh Eating House

                      Though drinking Tea might be a common act across India as Tea is the highest consumed beverage in India. It is  different in Calcutta, Tea is generally served in clay pots that adds a special taste to the tea and provides it with an earthly aroma. In the central parts of Calcutta which was highly influenced by European Culture Tea is still served in China Clay Cup-Plates. At Calcutta you can find Tea every time of a day throughout the year. If you crave for it at day you could get a cup from 'Sharmas Chai' or even in middle of night you cold get your cup of tea from 'Balwant Singh Eating House'. In Calcutta tea unites us all irrespective of our social position and we prowdly love to say 'Cha Khabo' or 'Cha Khabe' at any time, For us 'Every Time is Tea Time'. If you are in Calcutta now it might be the fact that you are having a cup of fuming Tea in your hand while going through this post.  
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