logo
Indian ‘chai' at special event hosted by India at U.N. to mark International Tea Day

Indian ‘chai' at special event hosted by India at U.N. to mark International Tea Day

The Hindu22-05-2025
The aromas and flavours of popular Indian teas permeated the halls of the United Nations headquarters as India hosted a special event to commemorate International Tea Day to highlight the beverage's contribution in empowering communities and fostering inclusive economic growth.
The Permanent Mission of India to the U.N. hosted the high-level event on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) on the theme 'Tea for Livelihoods, Tea for SDGs' to mark the International Tea Day, a celebration of the world's most consumed drink, after water. The event concluded with a special curated tea tasting experience where guests enjoyed a variety of Indian teas, including the famous Darjeeling tea, Masala chai, Assam and Nilgiri teas.
India's Permanent Representative to the U.N. Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, Director of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) U.N. Liaison Office in New York Angelica Jacome, and representatives of Kenya, Sri Lanka and China, the other major tea producing countries, spoke on the occasion and highlighted the challenges faced by the tea growers, especially the small tea farmers.
'The story of tea in India is not merely one of trade and taste but also one of transformation. What began in the early 19th century from the misty hills of Assam to the slopes of Darjeeling and Nilgiris, India's tea industry has grown to become a cornerstone of rural employment, women's empowerment and export-led development,' Mr. Harish said at the houseful event attended by U.N. envoys, senior U.N. personnel and community members.
The U.N. General Assembly in 2019 had proclaimed May 21 as International Tea Day following a proposal moved by India at the Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea in October 2015. The UNGA resolution recognised the long history and the cultural and economic significance of tea around the world, as well as the significant role it plays in rural development, poverty reduction and food security in developing countries.
India is one of the largest producers and consumers of tea globally and the sector directly employs over 1.5 million workers, the majority of whom are women. It supports over 10 million livelihoods, including small landholder farmers and those engaged in allied industries.
'For many of these communities, tea is not merely a crop. It's a way of life, a source of dignity, opportunity and hope,' Mr. Harish said. He also pointed out the complex challenges faced by the tea industry. 'Climate change is disrupting growing conditions and then, there are rising input costs,' Mr. Harish said, adding that market volatility and structural inequities threaten the economic viability of small producers who are responsible for over 60% of global tea production.
'There's also an urgent need to improve working conditions and secure equitable returns, both for labourers and growers. Addressing these challenges requires not only policy action, but innovation and ability to think out of the box,' he said. Mr. Harish told the audience that the 1911-founded Tocklai Tea Research Institute in India has introduced the Tocklai good agricultural practices, good manufacturing practices standard in 2022, the first ever sustainability certification crafted and adopted in India to usher in a climate resilient tea industry.
'It integrates good economic, agricultural practices and manufacturing practices and aligns the process with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for transformational change in the Indian tea industry,' he said. Mr. Harish added that in India, technology — from AI-driven climate forecasting to drone-based crop management to blockchain — is also being harnessed increasingly to modernise the tea sector and the entire value chain.
FAO's Ms. Jacome noted that despite tea's vital role in socioeconomic development, there are pressing challenges that must be addressed. These include climate change, limited market access and poor access to credit and technology, she said. 'Smallholder farmers are the backbone of the industry, and they're particularly vulnerable. Urgent actions are needed to strengthen their business models while also taking into account environmental and social factors,' she said.
Indian tea industry worried about 288% jump in imports from Kenya
Vietnam's Permanent Representative to the U.N. Ambassador Hoang Giang Dang said that in order to truly harness tea's potential for sustainable development, 'we must invest in smallholder resilience, promote inclusive business models, create favorable conditions for labour and ensure environmental sustainability across value chains'. Vithanage Chatura Jeevake Perera, Charge d'Affaires of Sri Lanka, said it is imperative to acknowledge women's contribution in Sri Lanka's tea industry as it 'could be identified as one of Sri Lanka's prominent production segments, with a higher percentage of women being employed.'
It is estimated that in the four major tea producing countries — India, China, Kenya and Sri Lanka — around 9 million tea farmers are smallholders.
Kenya's Permanent Representative to the U.N. Ambassador Erastus Ekitela Lokaale said as climate change increasingly disrupts traditional agricultural systems, the resilience of Kenya's tea sector is also being tested. 'In response, the Kenyan tea sector is progressively integrating climate-smart farming, enhanced agroforestry and community-based land use models. These innovations are vital to ensuring sustainability whilst safeguarding our natural resources.' He added that at the global level, Kenya 'welcomes ongoing efforts to promote fair trade, equitable pricing and mutual learning among tea producing countries, and this is clearly happening here today,' referring to the event hosted by India.
Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of China to the U.N. Liu Liquin said tea can be a bond between different cultures and civilisations. 'We believe that tea and, together with it, the cultural exchanges, could be very good catalyst for people to people exchanges and the peaceful coexistence among different states.' He said China is dedicated to working with other fellow member states to make full use of the tea industry and relevant opportunities to 'boost this kind of mutual understanding', to strengthen international partnership and accelerate implementation of SDGs.
Later in the day, China also hosted an event at the U.N. Headquarters to commemorate the day.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Japan Coast Guard ship 'Itsukushima' arrives at Chennai Port
Japan Coast Guard ship 'Itsukushima' arrives at Chennai Port

Hindustan Times

time38 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Japan Coast Guard ship 'Itsukushima' arrives at Chennai Port

New Delhi, Japan Coast Guard ship 'Itsukushima' will engage in a series of bilateral engagements during its week-long port call at Chennai, starting Monday, officials said. Japan Coast Guard ship 'Itsukushima' arrives at Chennai Port Following the Chennai visit, 'Itsukushima' will participate in a joint sea exercise named 'Exercise Jaa Mata' with the Indian Coast Guard . This exercise will focus on enhancing coordination and operational synergy at sea, they said. "Furthermore, four officers from the ICG will embark on board 'Itsukushima' as Sea Riders, during its passage to Singapore, further strengthening camaraderie and professional exchange between the two forces," the ICG said. The JCG ship arrived at Chennai Port on Monday as part of its Global Ocean Voyage Training. The visit highlights the deep and enduring bond between the Indian Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard, reaffirming their strategic partnership in the vital Indo-Pacific region and enhancing interoperability between the two esteemed maritime forces, a senior official of the ICG said. On arrival, 'Itsukushima", commanded by Captain Naoki Mizoguchi, was accorded a warm ceremonial welcome in traditional Indian style, the ICG said. "During its week-long port call in Chennai, the crew of 'Itsukushima' will participate in a series of professional and cultural activities, including official courtesy calls, reciprocal ship visits, and joint training and interactive sessions aimed at fostering mutual cooperation and understanding." As part of official engagements, the JCG delegation, led by Vice Admiral Hroaki Kaosue, will call on Paramesh Sivamani, the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, the official said. Bilateral discussions are also scheduled between the JCG representatives and Additional Director General Donny Michael, Commander, Coast Guard, Eastern Seaboard, they said. A series of professional and cultural exchanges, including a joint yoga session and sports activities, are planned, culminating on July 12, the ICG said. It also said that the visit underscores the strong and evolving partnership between the ICG and JCG, rooted in the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2006 and endorsed by both nations. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, aligned with common maritime priorities under India's SAGAR vision and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative , it said. This port call marks yet another significant milestone in advancing maritime diplomacy, enhancing operational synergy, deepening mutual trust and friendship between the two maritime agencies, the official said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

British F-35B jet under repair in Thiruvananthapuram, UK ‘grateful' to India for support and collaboration
British F-35B jet under repair in Thiruvananthapuram, UK ‘grateful' to India for support and collaboration

Hindustan Times

time39 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

British F-35B jet under repair in Thiruvananthapuram, UK ‘grateful' to India for support and collaboration

The repair work of the British Royal Navy's F-35B fighter jet has started after it was brought into a hangar at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, nearly three weeks after it made an emergency landing due to bad weather during a sortie over the Indian Ocean, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed. After the emergency landing, engineers from HMS Prince of Wales attempted to repair the F-35B jet but were unsuccessful.(@CISFHQrs) A team of engineers from the United Kingdom, onboard the British Royal Air Force's (RAF) Airbus A400M Atlas, has arrived in India to carry out the repairs on the jet, which has been grounded at the airport since June 14. "UPDATE: A team of UK engineers has arrived in India to commence repairs on the UK F-35 B aircraft. Repairs are underway on the aircraft, which has now been moved to the maintenance hangar. We are grateful for the continued support and collaboration of the Indian authorities," the UK MoD said in its statement. The fifth-generation jet, operated by the British Navy, had landed in Thiruvananthapuram after being unable to return to the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, which was operating in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The aircraft encountered bad weather while on a routine sortie outside Indian airspace and made an emergency landing. The Indian Air Force (IAF) later confirmed that Thiruvananthapuram had been designated as the emergency recovery airfield for such situations. In a post on X, the IAF said, "A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25. Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield." It further added, "On having declared a diversion off an emergency, the F-35 B was detected and identified by the IAF's IACCS network and cleared for the recovery. IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft." After the emergency landing, engineers from HMS Prince of Wales attempted to repair the aircraft but were unsuccessful. Defence sources later confirmed that the aircraft had developed a hydraulic failure while attempting to leave after refuelling. Following this, a specialised team of 25 technical experts from the British Royal Air Force was dispatched to India to assess and carry out necessary repairs. The team arrived in Thiruvananthapuram aboard a British RAF Airbus A400M Atlas military aircraft with specialised equipment. The Lightning 2 jet was then moved to the Air India Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hangar on Sunday. Earlier, the UK government had said, "The UK has accepted the offer of a space in the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, and is in discussions to finalise arrangements with relevant authorities. In line with standard procedure, the aircraft will be moved following the arrival of UK engineers, who are carrying specialist equipment necessary for the movement and repair process." The British High Commission also thanked India for its support. "We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support," a spokesperson said. "The UK remains very grateful for the continued support and collaboration of the Indian authorities and airport teams," the statement added. The advanced stealth fighter jet produced by American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has drawn significant public attention and has even inspired quirky local marketing campaigns in the state of Kerala. The aircraft is currently under round-the-clock guard by personnel from India's Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and British personnel. If the repairs cannot be completed on-site, the Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft may be dismantled and transported back to the UK using a military transport aircraft.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store