By Balwant Sanghera
Chai Chupal is an old tradition in India in general and in rural Punjab in particular. Village elders would usually gather regularly at a designated common place and shoot the breeze. Often, they would be joined by members of curious younger generations. Some time they would get tea and light refreshments by well-wishers. The elders would share stories from all over. Lot of them would look forward to that occasion every day. About ten years ago, when I (Balwant Sanghera) was actively involved with Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) some friends of mine came up with this idea. Richmond Family Place was pleased to work with RMCS to host the program. We decided to call it Chai Chaupal. It took off really well with nearly 30 participants. Couple of years later, India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas on Richmond’s Highway to Heaven (aka #5 Road) offered to host it every Monday. It has been a roaring success.
One of the original program participants, Nashattar Singh Matharu is a well- qualified Yoga Instructor. He has been volunteering his services for free for Yoga classes for the Chai Chaupal group at Gurdwara’s Yoga Centre since the program moved to the Gurdwara. The Yoga exercises run for about 1.5 hours. Around 11:30AM, other seniors who don’t take part in Yoga classes join the Yoga group for discussion and tea etc. till about 1 PM. The topics of discussion range from local to provincial to national and international. This Chai Chaupal group consists of very well- respected professionals and community activists. As such, the discussions are very stimulating. From time to time the group is treated to seminars on health and related issues. The group is very thankful to RMCS and Gurdwara Nanak Niwas for making it possible for them to get to-gether and enjoy themselves. The group picture has some members of the Chai Chaupal group who had just concluded their session at the Gurdwara on Monday, July 29.
