It was one of those quiet afternoons in Pathsala, a town not far from our humble place Sarthebari — the heart of traditional bell metal craftsmanship. I was seated at a small restaurant, catching up with a friend, when my phone rang. The call came from someone named Raj. At the time, I didn’t think much of it — just another inquiry, I assumed.
But that call changed everything.
Raj introduced himself as someone working in the procurement team of the Adani-managed Guwahati International Airport. He told me they needed high-quality, traditional utensils for their kitchen — not just any kitchen, but one that would be serving VIPs including the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.
At first, I was thrilled. This was a big opportunity — an order from such a prestigious place would be a milestone for any artisan-led brand. But my excitement dimmed a little when Raj explained the payment terms: the payment would be released after one month of delivery. It made me hesitant. Being a small business, we usually work on upfront or immediate payments.
Raj, sensing my concern, patiently assured me that their process is reliable and we’d be paid on time. He even encouraged me to take time to consider.
A Brother’s Advice & a Bold Decision
The next morning, after my usual routine of exercise and meditation, I called my elder brother — a seasoned bell metal businessman who has been trading with Bhutan and Nepal for over two decades. I explained the situation. Without hesitation, he said,
“This is an opportunity you can’t miss. Accept it.”
With renewed confidence, I called Raj back and confirmed our willingness to take up the project. He mentioned that before finalizing the order, we would need to present our product samples at the airport office for evaluation by the team, especially the head chef.
First Impressions at the Airport
A few days later, accompanied by my friend Hirranya Da, we visited the Adani office at Guwahati International Airport. The office was large, clean, and bustling with professionalism. There we met Miss Bhagya Laxmi, the head chef responsible for selecting the utensils. She carefully examined our handcrafted pieces — made with care using traditional methods of Sarthebari.
She appreciated the authenticity and traditional charm of our items and gave her initial approval. However, she requested some custom modifications to suit their needs. We happily agreed and returned, knowing we had cleared the first big hurdle.
The Real Work Begins
Then came the challenging part — official registration, paperwork, permissions. It was time-consuming and stressful. I won’t lie — I was frustrated. But Raj stood by us at every step, helping me navigate the maze of formalities. With his support, we cleared all procedures in just a few days.
The next phase was manufacturing — creating a custom line of utensils that met the specific requirements of the airport kitchen. The pressure was immense. The quality had to be top-notch, and the deadline tight.
We poured our heart into every product — from handmade brass trays to custom soup spoons and tongue servers. After nearly a month of hard work, we were ready for delivery. Or so we thought.
A Missing Piece & a Race Against Time
As fate would have it, one of the items was still incomplete. Yet the airport team was in a hurry — everything needed to be in place before the VIP kitchen became operational.
We rushed to the airport with the finished products and explained the delay. Raj and Miss Bhagya Laxmi Ma’am kindly inspected everything and allowed us to deliver the rest later. True to their word, they released the payment as per the agreed timeline — a huge relief for us.
Exactly seven days later, we delivered the remaining item. With that, the order was completed — not just in product delivery, but in something more valuable: trust.
What We Gained from the Experience
This deal was far more than a transaction. It taught us:
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How to manage large institutional orders
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The importance of perseverance and professional trust
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That traditional craft still has immense relevance in modern hospitality
It also led to the creation of several new handcrafted products like:
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Brass Soup Spoon
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Handmade Brass Tongue Server
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Brass Krief (custom cookware)
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Premium Brass Tray with Handle
All of these are now proudly available on our website:
www.KahPital.com
Gratitude That Money Can’t Buy
After the successful delivery, we wanted to offer a small gift to Raj — a token of our gratitude. But he politely declined.
He simply said,
“I want to support the handmade industry of Assam. That’s enough for me.”
It’s rare to meet people like him — professionals who go beyond their duty to uplift artisans and small businesses.
Final Thoughts
Every business has milestones, but this one will always be special. Not just because of the scale, but because of the journey — from a small restaurant in Pathsala to the corridors of Guwahati International Airport.
If you’re reading this and looking for authentic, handcrafted utensils made from bell metal, brass, and bronze — crafted in the traditional Assamese way — we invite you to explore our collection at:
We don’t just sell products —
We carry forward a legacy of craftsmanship.
With regards,
Bhargab Tamuli
Founder
www.KahPital.com