Kolkata's 70-Year-Old Palm Drink Still Costs Just Rs 10

Every weekday at noon, a van parks outside Kolkata's Eastern Railway Headquarters and sells a piece of living history for the price of a snack.

Neera Prash is a fizzy palm-sugar drink that has survived seven decades without raising its price much above its original cost. A 250ml glass bottle costs just Rs 10 (about 12 cents), while a larger 400ml bottle goes for Rs 20.

The drink was born in 1955 when Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a physician who became West Bengal's chief minister, wanted an affordable homegrown alternative to imported soft drinks like Coca-Cola. He created Neera Prash using taal mishri (palm sugar), citric acid, and preservatives that keep it fresh for up to a month.

The West Bengal Talgur Shilpo Samavayika cooperative still makes the drink using the original recipe. Their van serves office workers Monday through Friday from noon to 4 pm, selling around 400 bottles daily to a devoted crowd of regulars.

Driver Tanmay Das collects the glass bottles each evening, which are sanitized and refilled overnight before returning the next day. This simple cycle has repeated for generations.

Debkumar Samajdar has worked at a nearby insurance company for five years and drinks Neera Prash almost daily. "I've never had complaints. It's refreshing," he says.

Why This Inspires

In a world where heritage brands often disappear or become unaffordable luxury items, Neera Prash chose a different path. The drink stayed true to its mission of providing affordable refreshment to everyday people.

Regular customer Biswanath Kalyan loves that exclusivity doesn't mean expensive. "You won't find this anywhere else in Kolkata. It's nutritious, caffeine-free and tastes great," he explains.

Families near Deshapriya Park order bulk crates for annaprashan ceremonies, traditional rice-eating celebrations for babies. The cooperative also makes pickles, sauces, and jams, keeping palm-based food traditions alive.

Now the cooperative is preparing to expand to New Market and Alipore, bringing this taste of history to new neighborhoods while keeping the same commitment to quality and affordability that Dr. Roy envisioned.

A 70-year-old drink that still costs pocket change proves that staying true to your values never goes out of style.