‘From one chaiwala to another': Meet Akhil Patel, Indian-origin entrepreneur who serves tea to PM Modi in UK
Akhil Patel
, an Indian-origin entrepreneur and founder of the UK-based tea company, Amala Chai. ''Chai Pe Charcha' with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers... brewing stronger India-UK ties!,' PM Modi captioned his post, which included two images—one of him holding a cup of tea and another of Patel pouring it.
— narendramodi (@narendramodi)
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A video of Patel engaging with PM Modi is gaining traction on social media. In the clip, Patel is seen pouring tea and humorously remarking, "from one chaiwala to another."
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Who is Akhil Patel?
As per his LinkedIn profile, Patel attended University College School in Hampstead, London, before pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Management at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
While at university, he completed internships at several organisations and later worked as a data analyst post-graduation. However, in 2019, Patel decided to change his career path and launched Amala Chai, a venture inspired by his grandmother.
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According to the company's LinkedIn page, Amala Chai sources its Indian tea and spices directly from 'small family farms in Assam and Kerala.'
In May, the British Museum spotlighted the brand in a video that showcased how Amala Chai procures its ingredients from India.
Though Patel has not commented on the moment via his personal social media, a video was shared on Amala Chai's official Instagram page with the caption: "Just a casual Thursday serving chai for @narendramodi @keirstarmer What a crazy day! Beyond honoured. We'll be sharing the full story with you next week so keep your eyes peeled!' The clip features both PM Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer sipping tea served by Patel.
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