Majura Gate group’s hot mint tea is an elixir for many

Yagnesh Bharat Mehta | TNN | Apr 13, 2020, 05:00 IST

A volunteer serves piping hot tea to cops on duty on the road

Surat: With their cuppa of hot flavoured tea, this group of youngsters from Kailash Nagar area has made its way into the hearts of the government employees who have been working in that area tirelessly to contain spread of coronavirus and ensure total lockdown.
The youngsters from Surat Shaher Sai Yuvak Mandal Trust supplies over 1,000 cups of tea every single day to the policemen, employees of Surat Municipal Corporation and district collector’s office. They also provide packets of sev-mamra to those who are working on the road. They provide the cleaning workers with bottled water as they constantly move from one location to another with limited resources.
This group has served people with their social service in times of crisis in the past as well. During the lockdown, the group began supplying food to the needy people, but gradually discontinued as food is now being arranged by the government agencies and NGOs.
“We were among the first to give food to the needy but we are now focusing on serving tea as many people would want to sip a good cup of tea during the long hours of duty, but cannot find one. We have hired a tea-maker who worked for one of the most popular tea shops in Majuragate area," said Darshan Sorathiya, a volunteer in the group.
There are many groups that provide tea to the government employees at different spots, but around Athwalines area this group receives the first call if their volunteer fails to reach on time. “I have to reach the collector’s office before 3pm since many wait for our tea eagerly. We try to serve them hot tea exactly at the afternoon tea time,” said a volunteer. The reason behind their popularity is not far to seek: They make strong mint-flavoured tea, which is not so commonly available at the present times.
“Tea with mint flavour is our specialty and people refuse to drink any other tea,” said Amul Mehta, a volunteer, adding that mint leaves are available, but arranging puffed rice and sev is proving to be tad difficult as the markets are closed.
“We have to keep searching for the suppliers as packed sev and mamra is very useful for those on duty as they can store it for a few days and use it between meals,” said Sorathiya.