Darjeeling Forum

[vimalkhawas]

the attatched note discussess the factors behind the ill health of Darjeeling Tea Industry.

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=31&id=137814&usrsess=1

[basu]

if you really want to help the darj tea industry... then throw away the man who is heading the committee of managers... some guy ..Indian.. he wants the darj tea industry go down.. inside info.... and he hates neplese...sounds strange but true...
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a word or two

[Shanti]

Namaste / Tashi delek

I just wanted to inform you that I am very concerned about the wellfare of the teaworker, also those working at the teaplants in my birthplace: Darjeeling. So I tried to do the best I could for the teaworkers in DJ.
This is what I've done:

- I spoke to people of a Fair Trade organisation in Belgium to discuss the
situation of the teaworkers in DJ. They advised me to write
teacompanies, such as Lipton, Twinnings to support them joining a 'fair
trade' and support them making these teaproducers being forced to pay
their teaworkers a 'fair' salary. So I did write 3 big teacompanies: Max
Havelaar, Lipton & Twinnings

This is what I've reached untill now:

- the teacompany (coffeecompany) Max Havelaar is already working with
the Fair Trade Organisation and they are pushing the teaproducers to
pay their teaworkers a good salary. I've told them about the situation
of the teaworkers in DJ, and they said they'll go and check severly.
There is a teaplant of the fair trade organisation in DJ, and it's close to
the Goom station. If teaworkers are going to work there, they should
receive a better salary. I've asked 'Fair Trade' to check severly if the
teaproducers are doing what has been ordered them to do.

- the teacompany Lipton (via Unilver) is working together with 'Rainforest
Alliance' and they are going to check their teaplants severly. The
teaworkers should be paid a better salary. I have send an e-mail to this
organisation and urge them to be active in DJ as well.

- I have written Twinnings, and saw on their website that also they are
working together with the Fair Trade Organisation. I asked them also to
pay attention to 'fair trade' in DJ.

Conclusion:

- The tea will become more expensive in Belgium, but I don't mind, if this
is due to the better working circumstances for the teaworkers.
I think if in the future a very rich teaproducer is not prepared to work
with a Fair Trade Organisation, or an another human wellfare
organisation, he will stand alone. Cause in Europe, people wish to buy
tea that is produced on a fair way, and not that people had to work as
slaves for the tea we are drinking. If we drink tea, we wish to have a
good feeling about the way it was created.
We can only keep on pushing for frequent check-ups in DJ and let's
hope these small efforts will make the life of many teaworkers better

Greetz

[Jorebungley]

Hey an excellent read on GOI status accorded to Darjeeling tea and it's future prospects.. Must read for Tea and Darjeeling lovers...

http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/news/Voices/tea-brand-security.html
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Bring it on... what's a fart to someone who's full of shit..

[Shanti]

Dear people

A while ago, I have told you that I have tried to do a very little (as much as possible for me) for our birthplace: Darjeeling.
I went to fair-trade day & I didn't saw Darjeeling tea, so I spoke with the people about Darjeeling tea, etc.. etc...

Then I started to write e-mails and so on, to promote Darjeeling tea, and I wrote to several companies. I had in the beginning a little reaction, but at the end, I didn't hear anything. One NGO said it was impossible for them to start a project in DJ, as they didn't get a certificate, or something.

So I thought: here I go, I've tried to do a little for DJ, & it just failed. (sorry)

But last week, a very friendly guy, has sent me an e-mail, saying that he didn't forgot about me & my story & he is going to DJ this week. He is going to see some people there & if possible, they might take Darjeeling tea into their product list of fair trade products.
If it would work, let's keep our fingers crossed, then they'd start up a fair-trade project in DJ & the labourers would get a fair payment, and so on...
He'd keep me posted, & I'll keep you posted, if you would be interested.

It's his first visit to DJ, & I advised him to certainly visit the Tibetan refugee self help centre in Darjeeling. Cause that's one of my most beautifull memories at my first revisit at my birthplace (for 4 days). My other most beautifull memories is the visit at the Sonada Monastery.
This time, if situation allows us, my parents, my uncle, & my parents friends would visit DJ by the end of August next year (maybe).
My first revisit was in December, & I found it a great period. The sky was clear, it was hot during the day & in the eve you needed a fleece jacket,...

But anyway, I'll keep you posted concerning the DJ-tea.

Greetz