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India Tea News for the week ending January 24, 2025

India Tea News | Aravinda Anantharaman

Maha Kumbh Mela Pilgrimage | The largest human gathering in the world

Indian Tea Producers Flag Sub-Standard Imports

Even as Darjeeling’s tea producers express concern about illegal imports from Nepal, this week, the Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Association (CISTA) has submitted a letter to the Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressing concern about the growing influx of low-quality teas from Kenya and Nepal. The letter said that these imports impact the quality of Indian tea, along with demand and pricing.

CISTA President Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty shared data that shows a 288% increase in Kenyan imports between January and October 2024, from 3.53 million kg in 2023 to 13.71 million kg. These teas are used for blending and re-exports. Imports from Nepal stood at 13.66 million kg, much of it being sold within the country. He highlighted the lack of regulatory food safety measures on imported tea, particularly from Nepal.

Eight years ago, the Tea Board decided to counter oversupply by insisting that gardens in north India close for winter. The letter said that the unchecked flow of imported tea undermines these efforts. Flooding the market with cheap, inferior-quality teas will affect the reputation of Indian tea. This letter follows a submission by the Indian Tea Association last week on the issue of Nepal tea.

Chai Point Set to Create a Record at The Maha Kumbh

The 45-day Maha Kumbh Mela, an important Hindu pilgrimage in Uttar Pradesh, is ongoing. The event is expected to see 250mn people. Chai Point, the Indian tea brand, was selected as the tea partner along with the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). Together, they expect to serve over one crore or 10 million cups of tea, hoping to set a Guinness World Record for the most cups sold at a single event. The Maha Kumbh began on the 13th of January and is expected to conclude on February 26th. Chai Point has set up 10 stores for visitors to the Kumbh.

Women’s Football Thrives in Assam’s Tea Gardens

To promote football among young girls living in tea gardens, the Assam Tea Tribes Sports and Cultural Association has planned an All Assam Inter Tea Garden Women’s Football Tournament in Dibrugarh. This will be the 2nd edition of the programme. The preliminary round will kick off this week across the state.

Singpho Chief Nong Passes at 71

Singpho chief Duwa Bisa Nat Nong has passed at 71. The government of Assam gave him full state honors at a cremation ceremony on Jan. 17. Chief Nong was a descendent of the Singpho chief who introduced British explorers to the Assamica tea bush 180 years ago. His mortal remains were carried on a six-wheeled catafalque pulled by his family members, relatives, well-wishers, and community members. More than a thousand people from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh attended the cremation.

Nong was the last political Jamedar of India and the Mauzadar of the Tirap Mauza in the Tirap tribal belt under the Margherita subdivision in the Tinsukia district of Assam.

Episode 202

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Indian Tea Industry Flags Poor Imports | Chai Point Aims For Guinness Record at The Kumbha Mela | 2nd Inter Tea Garden Football Tournament in Assam This Week