“Walking I am listening to a deeper way.  Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still they say. Watch and listen.  You are the result of the love of thousands."    (Linda Hogan, Native American writer)

Another of our elders has slipped away and with him much history is lost.  We are launching this website in memory of Jagdish Chachaji and in honor of all the elders that have left us.  Please see the homage under ‘A Loving Memory’.

A tree cannot exist without a firm root system to sustain and nourish it.  Similarly, knowing ones family history grounds you and gives an understanding and appreciation of where we come from and defines much of who we are.  The inspiration for this project was to give my children an idea of our roots and history.   I spent the first 22 years of my life as part of the Chaiwala joint family, in Dehra Dun and the tea gardens,  and then was transported over seven seas to live the next 45 years in Los Angeles, a totally different lifestyle. 

My mission to gather history of the Chaiwala family  has been ongoing for the last 5-6 years. Sadly, it’s been slipping away as sand through my fingers with the passing of so many elders since then… Narendar Bhai, Vijay bhai, Daya Chachi, Raje bhai and now Jagdish chachaji.  They were all very much a part the growth and expansion of the family and tea business in its early years, and of my childhood.  

The family tree that Raje Bhai and Madhu bhabi compiled and presented us at Hemant’s wedding, has been invaluable.   Also, I was lucky to have visited Raje bhai in October 2015, while on a short visit to Delhi. He spent a good hour and half narrating the Chaiwala history with no notes or breaks.  We will be uploading this recording to the site soon.  

Apparently Bhagwat tauji often spoke about the early days to Raje bhai as he was very interested in these stories.  Much of what is compiled here is based on Raje bhai’s narration.  Madhu bhabi says that the very early ancestors of the family tree were also from notes that Bhagwat tauji kept.

Ramesh Chachaji has dug into his archives and memories and we have sat together many days looking through old photos and talking about his recollections.  It has been a wonderful journey taking me back to my young days.  Looking at historic photos has led us to delve into history of Dehra Dun and India, the zeitgeist of the era and giving context to various events.

Before all the history disappears, it’s important that we ask the elders about their early  years. It’s amazing how much is stored in their memory bank,  and often a simple query can revive long forgotten stories and events.  I feel the urgency is to document as much as possible, specially up till the the early 1960’s.  Usha buaji, Mahendra chachaji, Ramesh chachaji, Dhiru bhai, Sudhir bhai grew up in Dehra Dun as well as Sunita Jiji, Neelima, Anup and myself.  Lakshmi chachi, Asha chachi, Shashi bhabi, Pramod bhabi, Madhu bhabi will also have stories to tell.

A big thanks to the our newest bahu, Vidhi.   She has dedicated countless hours as the technical advisor and data entry to the site, I could not have done this without her help.  Vidhi now knows more about Chaiwala history and ancestors than most in the family!  
Also thanks to...Anshu who scanned dozens of photos, Ambica edited old photos, articles by Sudhir Bhai, Husna, Gaurav & Riddhima (historian), Dr. Ankit.  

Please excuse any mistakes and omissions, this is a first draft and I know corrections will have to be made.   A login code will be sent to each family so they can update their details, there are still many gaps as we didn’t know specifics of all members.  It will be wonderful if you pull out your old photos so we can add to the stories and albums.  It is now a ‘Chaiwala’ ongoing archival website for everyone to contribute and use.  There are many features of the website to be explored.  I’m looking forward to your additions and contributions 
With much love and regards, Shalini