In Dehradun district, around seven kilometers from Doiwala town, discussions about the municipal elections are taking place in Telivala village. Both young people and elders are part of these conversations, happening at a tea shop that is said to date back to British times. The reason for visiting this shop was to talk about a unique sweet called “barfi,” which has become the identity of this place. Known as “kalakand,” this sweet is made from milk solids (mawa) and sugar. The most significant aspect is that the milk used for making barfi and tea is sourced from local dairy farmers in the village. In essence, this shop plays a role in strengthening the village’s economy.
We spoke with Imran at Salman Sweet Shop along with a local youth, Mohammad Kaif. About 27-year-old Mohammad Salman, who runs the shop, shared, “This shop was started by my great-grandfather Qutubuddin. Initially, it only served tea, pakoras, and this barfi. After him, my grandfather Qamaruddin and then my father Mohammad Kasim managed the shop. I inherited it from my father, and I have been running it for the past eight years.”
According to Mohammad Kaif, the shop is a go-to place for villagers to discuss issues, enjoy a cup of tea, and relieve stress.
“Every day, we make around 25-30 kilograms of barfi, and it sells out completely. The shop consumes about 50 liters of milk daily, all purchased from local dairy farmers. Apart from barfi, we also serve pakoras, samosas, mathri, bread pakoras, and tea,” Salman explained.
Mohammad Kaif added, “Whenever relatives visit the village, they always take this barfi, which we call kalakand, back with them. Its specialty is that it’s pure and free of adulteration since the milk comes directly from the village. This shop has earned everyone’s trust. All the barfi is sold out before evening. It’s a delicious sweet and the pride of the village’s oldest shop.”
