Raise a cup: Writer Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay launched Char Paanch Chhakka — 30 Years journey of Dolly’s Tea, a book by Chayanika Chakraborty, on Dolly Roy and her tea boutique Dolly’s The Tea Shop in Dakshinapan, Dhakuria, on the occasion of the shop’s 30th anniversary celebrations on February 2. 
 

“I still remember the year the shop opened. Most of our customers were from Jadavpur University. A few tiny tots from the nearby schools would come with a one rupee coin and ask for some tea to gift their parents or grandparents. While the look and feel hasn’t changed at all, we have had a lot of additions to the menu, at least one every year. The latest popular drinks are the fruit teas like green coconut, pomegranate and mango, alongside the traditional first and second flush Darjeeling tea. We now sell more than 30 varieties of tea, available both for drinking as well as packing for home. My favourites are constant — Darjeeling muscatel, without milk or sugar, and Chicken and Cheese Sandwich,” said Dolly, in between a Rabindrasangeet rendition by students of Dakshini music school.