Imtiyaz’s tea stall warms hearts in Chowkibal

Kupwara, Oct 4: In the shadow of the towering Shams Barri Mountain near Tee Pee Chowkibal, where the lush Bangus Valley spreads its arms to embrace the sky, a modest makeshift tea stall stands as a ray of hope for Imtiyaz, batting for livelihood.

It is not much to look at a tin-roofed structure with a few wooden benches but for Imtiyaz Ahmad Beigh, this little tea stall has been his lifeline for the past three years.

A young man from Rashanpora, Imtiyaz runs this makeshift stall with determination, serving travellers hot tea, quick omelettes, and plates of noodles as they make their way to stroll into the breathtaking beauty of Bangus Valley.

Life was not always easy for Imtiyaz. With only a 10th-grade education, opportunities were scarce, but the responsibility of supporting his family pushed him to find a way.

His ageing parents, younger siblings, and a cousin; all five of them depend on him, making him the sole breadwinner.

Setting up the stall in Tee Pee was an act of faith, a hope that the influx of tourists could provide them with a modest income.

"Border tourism in Kupwara has so much potential," Imtiyaz often shares with the tourists who stop by.

His voice, though calm, reveals the quiet intensity of his struggle.

"It could solve unemployment for people like us. But we are struggling here, trying to survive. The government needs to step in and create a space for vendors like me to work peacefully," he says.

Every day, Imtiyaz wakes before dawn. As the morning mist drifts across the valley and the first rays of sunlight touch the snow-capped peaks, he lights the stove. The warmth of his tea stall is a small but meaningful refuge for travellers. And in every cup he serves, in every quick chat with passersby, Imtiyaz holds on to hope, the hope that someday, his struggles will be recognised, and that his simple dream of a stable livelihood will be realised.