A home-stay at Makaibari. A Telegraph picture

Makaibari (Kurseong), April 9: In Hindi, the words just mean ?we 13? or, with an intended pun, ?we are yours?.

But Hum Tera ? the name of the group of 13 Makaibari workers overseeing the garden?s eco-tourism project? means a lot more. It not only signifies the harmony of man and nature that this garden epitomises, but also reflects the concord between workers and the owner that is rarely seen during these troubled times in the tea industry.

The workers and management of Makaibari (about 35 km from Siliguri), the producers of one of the world?s best known teas, have joined hands to introduce a new model of home-stay tourism in the garden. Not restricting tourists to the plush manager?s bungalow, they are welcoming visitors to the homes of the workers.

Tourists in search of the ?real feel? can now live with workers in their labour lines. ?It is a whole new experience,? said one of the tourists who stayed there. ?Accompanying workers as they plucked tea leaves or tended the bushes, watching the tea being processed, listening to tales of a leopard attack years ago and learning to identify rare birds by their calls ? everything was enormously enthralling.?

?The satisfaction comes not from being able to make some extra money, but in having guests at home and telling them about this place,? said Rabin Khawas, a member of the garden staff and coordinator of Hum Tera.

Twenty-one workers? homes have so far been earmarked for the project.

?There is a long way to go,? owner Rajah Banerjee said. ?I have more than 600 workers? families here. I would consider my vision fulfilled when I am able to provide alternative livelihood to all of them.?

Raj Basu, the consultant for the garden?s eco-tourism project, said: ?Hospitality is something that was never taught to the workers, as there was no need. We helped the group organise itself and trained the members on the things they must keep in mind while handling tourists.?

Makaibari, which had created a world record by selling its Silver Tips (Imperial) at Rs 18,000 a kg some years ago, has been drawing a large number of tourists, who can stay with the workers for Rs 500 to Rs 700 per day, including food.