'Dropout Chaiwala': An Indian drops out of university and sells tea in Melbourne

An Indian student who dropped out of his BBA course from an Australian University and became a 'chaiwala' has turned his business into a million dollar company in just about a year.

Sanjith Konda House founded the 'Dropout Chaiwala' in Melbourne after he failed to complete his Bachelors in Business Administration course at the La Trobe University, PTI reported.


To set up a tea start-up was a Nellore-born brave step for Sanjith as Melbourne is known for its coffee fetish.

"I was fascinated about tea from childhood and then conceived the idea of Dropout Chaiwala," he told the news agency. He found an angel investor in Asrar, an NRI.

The joint selling tea and samosas has grown popular not just among the Indian diaspora but also among some native Australians and Hispanics, the report said.

While the 'Bombay Cutting' is a hit among the Indian community, the Australians like the 'masala chai'.

Sanjith said his revenue next month would hit roughly 1 million AUD (Rs 5.2 crore approx) after tax deductions and paying all overheads.

'Dropout Chaiwala' imports from India and has employed Indian students, who do part-time jobs to supplement their incomes.

Sanjith said his parents were initially shocked that he had dropped out."They are really proud now of how I started and where I have reached," he told PTI.