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A book by Indi Khanna
Anecdotes from a Life Immersed in Tea
by Gurrinder Singh 'Indi' Khanna
This anthology is a curated collection of unique anecdotes, drawn from my personal experiences as a tea planter in South India and Assam during the 1970s and 80s.
This anthology is a curated collection of unique anecdotes, drawn from my personal experiences as a tea planter in South India and Assam during the 1970s and 80s. The book offers readers an intimate, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the challenges, humour, and camaraderie that were the hallmarks of the tea planters' lifestyle during that era.
1
Not for the lily livered.
In the early years, tea planting was not for the lily livered. Often stationed in far-flung, remote estates far from city life, with one's superiors expecting unwavering, round-the-clock commitment of their executives, it was a 24x7 tough and demanding life.
2
Work hard and play harder.
What best describes the common thread which runs through these tales is the ethos by which the pioneering planters lived - Work hard and play harder.
3
38 tales.
A desire to share the fascinating experiences in tea inspired me to write a blog. What began with a piece titled 'A Hump on the Road' has, in course of time, evolved into more than 70 unique and personal experiences, 38 of which are included in this compilation.
4Tap or swipe the pages to turn them.
“Each story is a delightful gem, related with self-deprecating humour.”Avay Shukla, National Herald, 22 August 2026
About the book
This anthology is a curated collection of unique anecdotes, drawn from my personal experiences as a tea planter in South India and Assam during the 1970s and 80s. The book offers readers an intimate, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the challenges, humour, and camaraderie that were the hallmarks of the tea planters' lifestyle during that era.
In the early years, tea planting was not for the lily livered. Often stationed in far-flung, remote estates far from city life, with one's superiors expecting unwavering, round-the-clock commitment of their executives, it was a 24x7 tough and demanding life.
Work hard and play harder.
What best describes the common thread which runs through these tales is the ethos by which the pioneering planters lived - Work hard and play harder.
A desire to share the fascinating experiences in tea inspired me to write a blog. What began with a piece titled 'A Hump on the Road' has, in course of time, evolved into more than 70 unique and personal experiences, 38 of which are included in this compilation.
Inside the 38 tales
As described in Avay Shukla’s review for National Herald.
The years behind the stories
Indi spent 16 years as a tea planter before tea took him around the world. The tales come from those planting years.
Starts out as an Estate Assistant Superintendent.
Moves to a plantation company in Assam.
Starts Tea ‘n’ Teas and takes tea around the world.
A five-year stint in Sri Lanka.
Lifetime Achievement Award.
38 tales from the planting years, published 24 June 2026.
Runs the Tea Studio, with an all-women team.
The planting years these tales come from
Readers on Amazon.in
out of 5, from 28 ratings
“I thoroughly enjoyed reading Tête à Tea. It was a wonderful journey back to our days as tea planters in Upper Assam, bringing alive so many memories of a unique way of life that only those who experienced it can truly appreciate. Your anecdotes have preserved a slice of Assam’s tea heritage that deserves to be remembered.”
Rohinton babaycon
“An engrossing collection of tales set amidst the mist-clad high ranges where India’s tea is grown. Indi is a master storyteller, bringing plantation life vividly to life with wit, warmth and panache.”
Sudhir P.
“Indi has a special gift for storytelling with a disarming wit coupled with the ability to bring alive moments from life in tea. As I read, Indi’s big heart and infectious smile came through making this a delightful book.”
Arvind H.
“A poignant celebration of tea, of people, and of the serendipitous journeys life unfolds. Indi, you’ve transformed a lifetime of memories into something deeply evocative, profoundly personal and truly unforgettable.”
Farah
“The author takes you deep into the heart of tea plantations with words so clear that you can almost smell the wet tea leaves in the rain.”
Amazon Customer
“A very enjoyable read, written in a down to earth witty manner which keeps the reader engaged right through. On completing the book, you realise the adventure is far from over, so eagerly looking forward to the sequel!”
Amazon Customer
“Hilarious, Nostalgic and full of adventures. A must read.”
Sharan Deep
“This is a great read particularly for anyone who has had any connection with the tea industry in India. Light hearted and an easy read.”
Mohie Das
“A wonderful and hilarious read.”
M. N. Bopana
About the author
With an industry experience spanning five decades and counting, for Indi Khanna who drifted into the vocation through a series of fortunate coincidences, tea is not just his profession it is his passion.
His ‘planting’ career began in 1975 when he landed a job as an Estate Assistant Superintendent, in the High Ranges of Kerala. Four years later, he relocated to a plantation company in Assam.
After 16 years as a tea planter, in 1990, he shifted base to Dubai and started a business ‘imaginatively’ named Tea ‘n’ Teas, travelling all over the world promoting tea. The Dubai tenure was followed by a five-year stint in Sri Lanka after which he moved to the Nilgiris.
In the Nilgiris, he runs Tea Studio, a one-of-a-kind speciality tea production facility located in these very hills. This environmentally friendly, all women run factory which is managed by his daughter, produces a range of bespoke, limited-edition teas.
His roots have now burrowed deep in the Nilgiris, a beautiful tea growing region in the hills of south India, where he lives with his wife and four dogs.
Lifetime Achievement award, UK Tea Academy
