By Sampada Anuranjanee Khatiwada

Kathmandu, Jan. 21: Situated at the heart of Kathmandu City, Basantapur is a ‘go-to’ place for tourists and Nepalis to hangout. On winter days and especially during the evenings, people of all age groups are seen sipping tea and holding conversations with their friends, families and acquaintances on the premises of Basantapur Durbar Square.
Many local tea sellers sell tea out of their thermos bottle to the visitors, but what draws the attention of majority of the visitors is little school going children selling the tea.
Parbati Khadka, 11, a 4th grader at Nepal Adarsha Secondary School, said that she managed to help her parents by selling tea every day after her school. “My mother has been selling tea in Basantapur for around five years. I help her during my leisure,” she said.
“People mostly buy tea and cigarettes from me,” Khadka said. “I charge Rs. 20 for both, a cup of tea and a stick of cigarette.”
“Neither my parents, nor anybody else is forcing me to sell tea here. I have been selling tea out of my own desire to help my parents,” said Khadka. “A Nepali staying at Canada had even offered me a scholarship for my further studies,” she said.“I denied it because I aim to go abroad for my studies with my own ability and competency.”
Shreeram Khadka, 13, another school going boy, said that he had been selling tea to both Nepali and foreign visitors. “My dad can’t see properly, so I am helping him by selling tea here,” he said. “I sell 20-25 cups per day and earn Rs. 11,000-12,000 a month.”
My mom prepares 8-9 thermos tea per day. She wakes up early, at 4:00 AM in the morning, to make tea, he said. “We use around 24 packets of milk every day so our operation cost in one day is Rs. 1000,” he added. “Since my father, the bread-winner of my family, can’t see properly, I feel proud for being able to help him to some extent.”
Sushil Khatri, 12, another young tea vendor in Basantapur, said that he was selling tea only during his leisure. “I won’t let this hamper my studies,” he said. “We usually sell tea in the evening after our school gets over but since our school has announced winter vacation now, we have been selling tea during day-time as well,” he added.
“We make good profit but sometimes, our customers flee without paying money. Also, tea business is seasonal, we don’t earn much during the summer,” they said. They said that they had thought of selling ice-cream from coming summer.
Khatri said that only eight of them used to sell tea at Basantapur before. Of late, the number has increased to around 50, he added.
“The competition is high, but we feel good when people choose to drink our tea,” he added. “Some people come regularly to drink tea from us youngsters.”
Kalpana Mahat, 24, a student, said she frequently takes a stroll at Basantapur with her friends.
“Whenever I come here, I drink tea from these children,” she said. “Initially, I used to feel bad for them about how they are compelled to work hard despite their young age.”
“Now that I know them, I feel happy they are trying to help their parents by utilising their free time,” she added.
“Many children and even adults should take inspiration from them,” Mahat said.