A tea stall at Nileshwar continuous to sell Parippuvada for Re.2 for the past 20 years Nileshwar: Food prices are going up is an issue that is rocking the entire nation. The price of food items in hotels have doubled over the last 5 years. But can you imagine a hotel that has refused to raise the price of Parippuvada for the past 20 years? If you find difficult to believe take a trip to Nileshwar in Kasaragod district. Ask anyone in the town for ‘Tea stall – Parippuvada’ owned by Prakashan. They will definitely show you a shop that they too frequent for quality Parippuvadas at just one rupee. Prakashan began his tea stall in the town 20 year back just two employees. The number of employees has gone up to 15. The number of visitors to the stall has increased by leaps and bounds. Prakashan himself has grown older. Only one thing has remained the same, the rate of Parippuvada. The stall is open from 1.30 pm to 8.30 pm in early years.But now it is open for full time. Prakashan has not compromised increase the price even though the price increased for ingredients during the 20 years. Now onion has 30 rupees but it was 3 rupees 20 years before same as for dhal it was 18 rupees now it has 70 rupees. His trade mark item made in front of the guests and is served fresh and hot. “We sell more than 5000 Parippuvada everyday” says, Prassannan, the Parippuvada maker. The uniqueness of the stall does not end with the Parippuvada alone but extends to other items too. Whenever we ask for tea or coffee we get it fresh and hot, made before our eyes. To have a piece of Parippuvada every day, some of the fans of this stall come from faraway places like Kanhangad. For this creative service Junior Chamber International (JCI) Kanhangad has presented Prakashan with an award. “Daily we have a sale of Rs. 17000 to 20000 from this stall” says, Prakashan. . Other kinds of snacks are also prepaid here. Puffs is the only item which is bought from outside. “Pazhampori, Suhyian,Vada, Samoosa, Ada, Uppumavu etc. are served here. , one of the employees. 4 p.m to 7.30 p.m is the peak time. The surroundings of this stall are not like any other stall. Every customer gets chance to sit under the roof to enjoy the special taste. “We are very conscious about keeping the surroundings clean” says, Prassannan. While sticking to the price fixed 20 years back, the shop hasn’t compromised on the size, weight and the quality of the product. Prakashan and his colleagues keep their unique identity on the name board too. The board carries the title ‘Parippuvada’ With the price of everything going up each day, will he increase the price of Parippuvada one day? Prakashan says no. “We are not bothered about the price hike” says Prakashan. So any person with 2 rupee in pocket can savour the taste of special Parippuvada.
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