MELBOURNE: A successful Indian-Australian lawyer, Uppma Virdi, 26, has become Australia's Businesswoman of the Year. A prominent community and business leader, Virdi was given the award at the 2016 Australian Business and Community Awards last week. Her passion for tea prompted her to open Chai Walli, a thriving online business that helps her share her passion for Indian tea.
"In the Indian culture, people come together through tea. Whether it's a happy occasion or a difficult moment, tea is all pervasive. I tried, but couldn't find many good tea places in Australia," she said. Her journey began two years back when she sought something exciting. Virdi said she inherited her love for chai from her grandfather, a doctor who specialises in herbs and spices. "My grandfather is an Ayurvedic doctor and he used to make this Ayurvedic tea at his medical dispensary. He taught me the art of Ayurvedic tea," she said. Not only does she sell her teas through her online store, she also runs The Art of Chai workshops to teach people how to brew the perfect cuppa. "My real aim is to educate the Australian society about the Indian culture through tea," Virdi said.
