“The Most Cherished Eid Feast…”: The Chai Walah Founder Faisal Yousaf Recalls His Orphanage DaysIf you travel through the Southern national highways in the country, you will come across small tea pop up carts adorned in black and white paints and several tea varieties being showcased inside it. These are the franchises of “The Chai Walah” by Faisal Yousaf, a 38-year-old entrepreneur from Kerala’s Alappuzha, launched in 2018. Faisal Yousaf’s journey from a high school dropout to a successful chaiwallah exemplifies the transformative power of determination and passion. A write-up by the young entrepreneur went viral today on social media in which he talked about his childhood in an orphanage.
Growing up in Vatanappally orphanage in Thrissur after losing his father at a young age, Faisal found inspiration beyond the classroom, shaping his unconventional path to success. But, some instances remained etched in his memory about the Yatheemkhana (orphanage) as he recalled his most cherished Eid feast while writing for a Malayalam daily.
After high school, Faisal ventured into newspaper distribution, later taking over a news agency briefly before realising its limited scalability. Seeking new horizons, he explored opportunities as a real estate agent in Mumbai and embarked on journeys to England, Dubai, and Europe.
Orphanage memmories
“When I travelled from Vatanapally Yatheemkhana (Orphanage) to my Alappuzha home for the Eid holiday, it felt like transitioning from a grand ancestral home to a relative’s house. I lost my father at a young age, so that orphanage truly felt like my ancestral home, guiding me through life. Hanifa Maulvi, though somewhat strict, used to send each of us home during Eid days with the instruction: “Go home and return soon, my children,” he wrote.
Vatanappally Orphanage is one of the pioneers in Kerala’s prestigious orphanage system which helped many civil servants, leaders and businessmen in their formative years as many of them struggled with poverty and hunger.
“While the joy of reuniting with my mother and loved ones at home filled me with happiness, I deeply missed being part of the Eid celebrations at Vatanapalli orphanage. This feeling still lingers in my mind, even as I’ve become an entrepreneur and had the opportunity to experience various cuisines during my travels in Europe, America, and Arab countries. Because, the most cherished Eid feast remains the food that kept me nourished during my childhood,” he recalled.
“Poverty is misery; poverty in childhood is extremely miserable! My desire to grow and succeed happened due to the life conditions, but it was the love and care given by the teachers and staff at Vatanappally orphanage that fuelled that desire,” he added.
CK Haneefa Master, whom Faisal called Haneefa Maulvi, and is famous among his pupils as ‘Haneefa Mash’, said he is extremely happy that Faisal has reached this stage with the grace of the God.
He is currently the director of Vatanappally Orphanage Committee, the body that is looking after a group of institutions including orphanage, colleges and schools for the children who come from the backward sections of the society.
“Our situations were really bad in earlier days, especially of the children. Many of them had no homes to go back to. They used to celebrate Eid here at the Orphanage, with all happiness,” Haneefa Master remembers the old times.
He also acknowledged that the times have changed now with the changes in social and financial conditions, and now all of the children go back to their homes or relatives during Eid days.
Birth of The Chai Walah
During his time in England, Faisal’s love for Indian tea blossomed. Experimenting with blends, he captivated crowds at flea markets with his artisanal teas, igniting the spark for “The Chai Walah.”
The Chai Walah began as a humble pop-up cart in Alappuzha. Offering a diverse range of teas, coffees, and juices, the brand quickly gained popularity for its hygienic standards and innovative flavors.
In just over three years, The Chai Walah has expanded to over 50 franchise locations across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Faisal envisions further expansion both domestically and internationally, with plans to open branches in the Middle East.
The Chai Walah menu boasts over 50 varieties, including classic teas and unique blends like pudina chai and saffron chai. Each cup is crafted with a house blend of Assam and Nilgiri black teas, ensuring quality and authenticity.
Faisal’s entrepreneurial spirit and resilience shine through his journey. Despite initial skepticism, he pursued his passion for tea brewing, setting a trend in Kerala’s tea culture.
With a focus on Tier 1 cities and plans to establish 1,000 stalls worldwide, Faisal aims to revolutionize the street tea experience while maintaining affordability and quality.