Latest news with #Darjeeling
New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
In the Company of Tea
As it finally began to rain across NCR in short, sharp bursts over the past few days, I instinctively reached for a cup of kadak adrak chai. Until then, I had been getting by on cold brew coffee. I usually prefer tea, but the searing summer had left me little choice. The mere thought of sipping anything hot in that kind of humidity was enough to make me break into a sweat. But tea is not just a drink, is it? Especially not for us Indians. It is comfort, habit, ritual and memory, all poured into a single cup. It marks the beginning of most of our days, and for many of us, brings them to a close as well. For as long as I can remember, tea has held a quiet, steady presence in my life. In our home, there was always a teapot ready by six in the morning, whether or not anyone wanted it. My mother's tea was sacrosanct — strong, with a hint of ginger and barely any milk. My father, by contrast, preferred a delicate, lightly brewed cup of Darjeeling tea, served without fuss. As for me, I seem to have inherited a bit of both. Even now, whenever I travel, I find myself slightly nervous about how the tea will turn out. Because, as anyone who drinks it knows, chai is deeply personal.
Yomiuri Shimbun
a day ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Fair Trade Tea Products Sold at School Festival in Hokkaido; Students Hope to Raise Awareness of Concept
SAPPORO — Tea sourced through fair trade and commercialized was on sale at a school festival at Sapporo Kiyota High School in Sapporo on July 12. Students at the school helped choose the packaging design for the products developed by a tech firm and employment support facilities for people with disabilities in Hokkaido. The global course at the school has been promoting fair trade, which is a way to purchase products from developing countries at fair prices, for more than 10 years. This time, the school took part in a project to develop tea products launched by Protech, a Sapporo-based tech firm. Users of employment support facilities in Sapporo and Eniwa, Hokkaido, processed products and designed the packages, which were publicly viewed for the first time during the school festival. 'I hope this offers an opportunity for people to understand more about fair trade and employment for people with disabilities,' said a second-year student. Two kinds of tea, Darjeeling and Dimbula, will be available. The products will be available on the website operated by the company.
Forbes
25-07-2025
- Forbes
A Relaxing Day In Harrogate, Yorkshire's Historic Spa Town
Bettys Cafe and Tea Rooms is a landmark of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. getty Harrogate might not be as well-known internationally as nearby York, but for generations of British travelers, it has represented elegance, wellness and quiet luxury. Once famed for its sulfurous spa waters, Harrogate today draws visitors for its manicured gardens and Victorian architecture. Just 45 minutes by train from Leeds or York, it's an easy day trip for travelers craving a slower pace without sacrificing style. Whether you're sipping Darjeeling at Bettys, strolling through flower-filled parks or soaking up the mystery of Agatha Christie's 1926 disappearance, Harrogate delivers a day of gentle pleasures and old-world atmosphere. And best of all? It's incredibly easy to reach. One of Harrogate's biggest assets is its convenience. Regular trains from Leeds and York take around 30 to 40 minutes, making it an ideal side trip from either city. The train station sits right in the heart of town, so it's easy to start exploring on foot the moment you arrive. Buses are another option, particularly the comfortable and scenic route 36 double-decker that runs between Leeds and Ripon, passing through Harrogate en route. The Gardens Of Harrogate If the weather's kind, start your day with a wander through Valley Gardens, just a short ten-minute stroll from the station. Valley Gardens in Harrogate is popular with locals and visitors alike. David Nikel This lush, 17-acre park weaves together formal flowerbeds, winding woodland trails, and a handful of unexpected delights. Keep an eye out for the vintage paddling pool, a quirky mini-golf course and the curved art deco Sun Pavilion with its sweeping views over the lawns. It's easy to lose track of time here, especially with a takeaway coffee in hand from one of the nearby cafes along Valley Drive. The gardens also sit atop a network of natural springs, a reminder of Harrogate's long-standing spa heritage. For something more ambitious, RHS Garden Harlow Carr lies on the town's western edge. A 20-minute walk or quick taxi ride brings you to this much-loved showcase of British horticulture from wildflower meadows to woodland walks. One striking feature is the set of classical Doric columns, salvaged from Harrogate's old Cheltenham Pump Room and now standing as a romantic ruin within the grounds. There's also a branch of Bettys Tea Room, ideal for a mid-morning pause surrounded by flowers and birdsong. Discover Harrogate's Spa Heritage To understand what first put Harrogate on the map, look no further than its sulfur-rich springs. A good place to begin is the Royal Pump Room Museum, an elegant domed building constructed in 1842 around one of the town's most potent wells, once said to be among the strongest in Europe. Inside, exhibits trace the history of Harrogate's rise as a fashionable spa resort, from eyebrow-raising Victorian treatments to the habits and oddities of 19th-century visitors. Even today, the faint tang of sulfur near the wellhead lends the space an unexpected authenticity. The Royal Pump Rooms Museum gives a thorough overview of Harrogate's history as an important spa town. David Nikel Just across the road, the Turkish Baths offer a more immersive link to the past. These late-Victorian bathhouses, built in ornate Moorish style, still operate much as they did over a century ago. Step into the tiled lobby to admire the craftsmanship and atmosphere that helped define Harrogate's golden age of wellness. If you have time, book a session to experience the sequence of steam rooms and cold plunge pools. Pause For Afternoon Tea When it's time for lunch or something sweeter, Harrogate delivers in the most civilized fashion. The town is home to the original Bettys Café Tea Rooms, a Yorkshire institution since 1919. Expect smartly dressed servers, polished silver teapots and a menu that doesn't stray far from tradition. If you manage to beat the queue or don't mind the wait, you'll be rewarded with the full afternoon tea experience: dainty finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam. And of course, a parade of miniature cakes arranged neatly on a tiered stand. It's every bit as refined as you'd hope. For a more relaxed or spontaneous option, Harrogate also has a second, less crowded Bettys branch at Harlow Carr Gardens, or you could try Mama Doreen's Emporium, a colorful and creative twist on the classic tea experience with themed treats and a more playful atmosphere. A Harrogate Mystery Worth Revisiting Harrogate's most famous visitor may not have come for the spa, or even the tea. In December 1926, Agatha Christie made headlines across Britain when she disappeared from her home in Surrey, sparking a nationwide search. Harrogate's Old Swan Hotel is something of a tourist attraction thanks to the Agatha Christie disappearance. David Nikel Eleven days later, she was found safe and well at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate, living under a false name and seemingly unaware of her own identity. The circumstances remain a mystery to this day. Christie later refused to discuss the incident, but visitors to the Old Swan can still enjoy a drink in the same bar where she once dined during her self-imposed exile. The hotel embraces the connection and even hosts murder mystery nights. Harrogate's Montpellier Quarter Round off your Harrogate day with a stroll through the elegant Montpellier Quarter, just steps from Bettys. This charming district is home to over 50 independent boutiques, galleries, antique emporiums and cafes, offering everything from designer fashion and curated homeware to quirky gifts. Visit the Imagined Things Bookshop, a proudly independent store filled with an eclectic mix of literature and bookish gifts. Nearby, luxe boutiques like Morgan Clare and Farrah's of Harrogate (famous for its traditional blue-and-silver toffee tins since 1840) offer memorable souvenirs and timeless Yorkshire style. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes In Leeds, Shopping Comes With A View By David Nikel Forbes Why Joining Britain's National Trust Is A Travel Bargain By David Nikel Forbes Beyond Windsor, These 5 English Castles Are Must-Visit Treasures By David Nikel
Scroll.in
25-07-2025
- Business
- Scroll.in
Prada's Kolhapuri sandal copies show that law alone can't protect India's cultural capital
Earlier this month, Italian fashion house Prada sparked an uproar in India when its newest collection at the Milan Fashion Week featured open-toe leather sandals that strongly resembled the iconic Kolhapuri chappal. Priced at Rs 1.2 lakh per pair, nearly 300 times their value in Kolhapur, these sandals were showcased by Prada without any mention of their cultural origins or the communities in the subcontinent that have sustained the industry around them. Since 2019, the Kolhapuri chappal has had geographical indication status – meaning that it is protected by an intellectual property rights regime that acknowledges that goods originating from a specific region possess a reputation and distinctive qualities or characteristics inherently linked to that location. A GI tag is a legal stamp that protects the cultural and economic identity of products from a certain place, such as champagne from France or Darjeeling tea from India. The Prada incident put the focus on the limitations of India's GI regime in enforcing the protection of its heritage when it was co-opted on the global stage. For decades, India's intellectual property trajectory in the cultural sector has been one of seeking recognition: mapping traditional knowledge systems, celebrating heritage crafts and filing for geographical indications with the hope that a legal tag would be enough to protect them. But recognition is not the same as enforcement. GI status legally identifies a product as originating from a specific region, and grants exclusive rights to local artisans, manufacturers, or registered associations in that region to use its name. It stops others from misusing the region-based name and lets authentic producers benefit from both cultural identity and direct income. The backlash in India against Prada's sandals accused the firm of cultural appropriation and theft of intellectual property. Yet, legally, the anger went nowhere. A public interest litigation before the Bombay High Court seeking an injunction against Prada was dismissed, largely on procedural grounds: the petitioners were not the registered GI proprietors and public interest was not adequately demonstrated. This signals the limitations of enforcing India's GI regime. Until now, GI registration has been celebrated as an end in itself, as a badge of honour that marks cultural uniqueness. But what happens when that uniqueness is exploited abroad, stripped of context and sold back to the world as high fashion? The case of the Kolhapuri chappal may be the first real test of how GI protection needs to evolve beyond domestic pride. GI tags In India, GIs are governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force in 2003 following India's commitments under the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement. GI protection allows local artisans, manufacturers, and registered associations to register traditional products and prevent others from using the GI name without authorisation. Since the inception of the GI regime, over 400 Indian products have been registered: from Banarasi and Pochampally ikat saris and Mysore silk, to Nagaland's Naga mircha chilli, Kullu shawls and Aranmula Kannadi metal mirrors from Kerala. These registrations confer exclusive rights to artisans, manufacturers, artisans and officially recognised producer associations based in those regions to produce, market, and financially benefit from the GI-labelled goods. For instance, Basmati rice, one of India's leading GI products, generated export earnings of approximately Rs 38,000 crore in the financial year 2022-'23, showcasing the immense commercial potential of GI recognition. Core flaw Under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, enforcement hinges on the use of the GI name itself or instances of consumer confusion. Prada did neither. It did not market its sandals as Kolhapuris nor did it mislead its customer base about the product's origin. The company sidestepped the law's textual boundaries, while arguably trampling on its spirit. That highlights a core flaw in India's GI law: it was not framed to address subtle, stylised forms of imitation in transnational fashion circuits. This is not the first time Indian culture has been borrowed without acknowledgement. In 2018, for instance, Indian design studio People Tree said French fashion house Christian Dior had copied one of its prints. Similarly, H&M's 'Wanderlust' collection, created in collaboration with Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, was claimed to have used GI-tagged hand-block prints without involving or compensating the artisan communities responsible for them. But two elements make the Kolhapuri chappal episode stand out. First, it comes at a time when Indian policymakers are actively promoting GIs as tools of rural empowerment and soft power diplomacy. Second, its unusual aftermath: Prada, after facing public backlash, agreed to a collaborative, artisan-driven 'Made in India' collection. What the law could not compel, public pressure did. This unintended consequence, where a luxury brand voluntarily enters into a fair-trade collaboration, is worth reflecting on. It suggests that while legal enforcement may have failed, ethical compliance may still be a possibility. However, such goodwill cannot be the cornerstone of a country's intellectual property regime. There is an urgent need to reimagine GI protection through the lens of global commerce. This could include bilateral agreements that create binding obligations on GI, mandatory disclosure of origin clauses in fashion exports and soft law instruments under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and or the World Intellectual Property Organization that link heritage usage to benefit-sharing norms. The Prada controversy exposes another persistent weakness in India's GI law: the limited capacity of registered proprietors to monitor and act. In this case, the two state-run corporations that jointly hold the GI – Maharashtra's Sant Rohidas Leather Industries & Charmakar Development Corporation Ltd and Karnataka's Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd – were silent spectators. It took the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, a trade body with no legal ownership of the GI tag, to intervene and negotiate with Prada. This asymmetry in enforcement resources, where smaller artisan groups rely on third parties or media outrage to defend their rights, must be corrected if India is serious about giving its GIs teeth. But perhaps the most valuable lesson is this: the future of GI protection cannot lie in legalese alone. It will require a cultural and strategic repositioning of India's artisan economy, not just as heritage to be preserved, but as intellectual capital to be globally commercialised on fair terms. Prada's eventual collaboration may offer a working model. It came too late to be legally meaningful but early enough to change the narrative. It brought the artisan into the boardroom. The challenge now is to ensure that this becomes the norm, not the exception. India's GI regime must stop being just about recognition and start being about clear enforcement of rights. Debargha Roy is a practising advocate and managing trustee at Project Saathi. Tejaswini Kaushal is a researcher at Project Saathi and writes on IP. Views are personal.
Miami Herald
24-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Road trip: White House tours Federal Reserve seeking fraud
It's not the Nantucket Summer Garden Tour. Yet a gaggle of White House officials and other GOP leaders led by President Donald Trump headed over to the Federal Reserve campus this week. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter They're checking out a $2.5 billion renovation that includes asbestos abatement, lead removal, refurbished marble, and no - repeat no - beehives on the roof. Related: Former Fed Chair sends stern message on economy, Fed The visit, or rather, inspection, is part of the Trump administration's ongoing heckling campaign of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. No word if Darjeeling tea and cream scones are on the menu, but Powell's head definitely is. Trump is really, really peeved at Powell and the Fed's policymaking Federal Open Meeting Committee for not lowering interest rates. The independent central bank avoids politics the best it can and sets monetary policy based on data, not egos. President Trump's berating threats, juvenile name-calling, and personal attacks against Powell over the last five months have been bolstered by the multitude of administration officials using more professional language and operational strategies to try to force Powell to resign. Related: Why the Federal Reserve matters so much The Fed Chair has said he plans to stay until his term ends in May 2026. Because of the Fed's unique independence, President Trump can't fire or "DOGE" him. It seems the only way Powell could be replaced with a Trump heir apparent is if Powell is fired for "cause." That term is somewhat loaded with mysterious definitions, but the word "fraud" keeps popping up. According to Yahoo Finance, Trump told reporters, "I mean, it's possible there's fraud involved with the $2.5 billion renovation." This, after he said earlier that the project "sort of is" a fireable offense. On July 21, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling for a review of the Fed's renovation project. So Team Trump is trotting over to the National Mall to learn why there are cost overruns to the original $1.9 billion price tag for the renovations of two building were erected in the early 1930s. Should those overruns prove to be due to Powell's lax management oversight, they could start what will undoubtedly be a protracted and nasty legal battle to remove Powell from the post. The White House provided no details about what President Trump will do at the Fed buildings. More Economic Analysis: GOP plan to remove Fed Chair Powell escalatesFederal Reserve official gives green light to July rate cutTrump deflects reports on firing Fed Chair Powell 'soon'Former Federal Reserve official sends bold message on 'regime change' Among the visitors for the tour: White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair, Budget Director Russell Vought, and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte (an especially vocal and vitriolic Powell critic). For its part in "Fedgate," the central bank on Monday released a six-minute, 23-second video recorded July 18. It shows active construction scenes overlaid with text descriptions of the project and installation of infrastructure like blast-protected windows and modern heating, plumbing, and electrical systems. According to the Federal Reserve's website, the renovations of the two historic buildings include: Remediation and updates to make the buildings safe, healthy, and effective places to work by removing asbestos and lead contamination, and accommodating modern workplace replacement of antiquated systems such as electrical; plumbing; Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC); and fire detection and suppression structural work to bring the buildings up to modern code, including current accessibility, security, and safety work will also restore and enhance space for the public along the National Mall. The plans also show proposed areas that have been dropped for cost, including water installations and rooftop beehives. There is also no VIP elevator, nor a VIP dining room in the construction plans. Learn more about the historic preservation of the buildings and plans for the renovations here. "I just want to get eyes on sort of the whole project itself," Blair told Semafor. The administration is looking to analyze the project plans and get a better sense of what the renovations look like by cross-checking them with details sent in letters and comments made by Powell, Semafor reported. The Federal Open Meeting Committee is expected to keep the Federal Funds Rate steady at 4.25% to 4.50% when it meets July 29-30. Powell has repeatedly said he is focused on the Fed's dual mandate of low inflation and unemployment with steady economic growth. The Fed's "wait-and-see" approach to holding the fund rate is tethered to the impact tariff inflation will have on prices this summer. Many economists and Fed watchers expect the occur at the September FOMC meeting. Related: Tariff uncertainty resets inflation, July interest rate cut bets The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
