Latest news with #Wieser
Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Indian Express
‘Come with curiosity and patience… Delhi will reward you with unforgettable memories': Austrian Ambassador
'I've been posted in Delhi for nearly four years, and it has been a fantastic experience' — that's how Katharina Wieser, Austria's Ambassador to India, summed up her experience of living in Delhi. She enjoys a stroll through Lodhi Gardens and says the cultural depth and variety of the city are among the things that have stood out during her stay. Wieser has served as Austria's envoy to India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka since July 2021. A seasoned diplomat with over three decades of experience, she has held key leadership roles in the Austrian Foreign Ministry and the Office of the Austrian Federal President. A passionate advocate for female diplomacy and inclusive leadership, Ambassador Wieser champions multilateralism, gender equity, and constructive global dialogue in her efforts to strengthen Austria's partnerships worldwide. She holds a degree in South Asian Studies (Indology) from the University of Vienna and a post-graduate diploma in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University's Bologna Centre. Wieser speaks to The Indian Express as part of a series of interviews with diplomats about Delhi — their home. Excerpts: One place in the city that you love to visit often? One place I visit often is Lodhi Gardens — it's an oasis amid the bustle. I love the symbiosis of historic architecture and luscious greenery, how you can feel the city breathing there, despite the overwhelming traffic just outside. Three things that stood out in Delhi during your stay? First, the cultural depth and variety — it's rare to find such an enjoyable mix of cultures, of old and new. I celebrate every corner of history that I can explore on my weekend outings. Second, the openness, curiosity, and enthusiasm of the people: wherever one goes, one can always strike up a light-hearted and fun conversation. Third, I'd say the contrasts — the beauty of historic monuments sitting right next to daily urban chaos and poverty. It's fascinating, though at times it can feel overwhelming for newcomers. Does pollution in Delhi bother you? How do you and your family deal with it? Pollution, particularly in winter, is a concern — as it is for many residents. We use air purifiers, avoid outdoor activities during high-pollution days, and try to stay informed. We are very privileged and have the capacity and opportunity to protect ourselves, but many people do not… this issue is surely one of the big challenges of the immediate future. It's a long-term challenge, and tackling it will require both policy and public commitment — not just in Delhi, but across the region. Is there anything you would suggest that Delhi's administrators work on to make this city a better place? Well, yes… while the city has made great strides in areas like Metro connectivity and digitisation, more sustained efforts are needed in waste management, improving air quality, and urban planning. Addressing the burning question of waste and traffic management would make an important contribution to reducing air pollution, and would make visiting Delhi more attractive to tourists as well. How is Delhi different from other major capitals or cities you have served in? What makes Delhi truly unique is the pace and intensity of engagement, and the sheer dimension of both challenges and opportunities. Delhi alone is two to three times the size of Austria in terms of inhabitants, so one has to keep putting everything into perspective. For Austria, this setting has provided fertile ground for strengthening our bilateral ties with India. Over the past few years, we've seen meaningful growth across sectors — be it green technology, higher education, innovation, or cultural exchanges. Favourite food in the city? Ah, the food! It's a culinary journey in itself. I've developed a special liking for South Indian food and love getting a dosa in one of the many great eateries or restaurants, like Carnatic Cafe or Nathu's. But honestly, it's often the home-cooked meals and street food explorations that truly capture the soul of Delhi's food culture. Any memories or meetings from the city that you think will stay with you always? One memory I'll definitely cherish is celebrating Diwali with 'my' Austrian Embassy team, thanks to our wonderful Indian colleagues who organise a traditional celebration with diyas, sweets, (loud) music, and lots of laughter and dancing every year! And as one example of the many cultural events organised by the Cultural Forum of the Austrian Embassy, I will always remember the screening of the movie, Mehrunisa, which tells a beautiful story about an 80-year old actress — played by the iconic Farrukh Jaffar — standing up for herself and against patriarchal reflexes in the Indian film industry. It is a movie by an Austrian director (Sandeep Kumar) with Indian roots, shot entirely on location in Hindi in India, and produced in Austria. The screening at the Austrian residence (on the occasion of International Women's Day) was a beautiful example of the power of the new and inspiring people-to-people connections coming up between Austria and India! If you have to introduce Delhi to someone back home, what will you tell them? I would say Delhi is not only a city — it's an experience. It's chaotic and challenging, beautiful and green, exhausting and exhilarating, all at once. I'd tell them if you come here with curiosity and patience, Delhi will reward you with unforgettable memories. But you should also be prepared for some sensory overload and a crash course in urban resilience. Is there anything that you or your family would miss once you say goodbye? Without a doubt, we'll miss the people. Delhiites have a warmth, openness, and generosity that has really touched me. We'll also miss the festivals, the cultural events, the markets — and perhaps even the unpredictability of life here! I have formed friendships that go beyond diplomacy, and those personal connections are what make a place truly feel like home.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dietz Distillery Wins Silver Medal at San Francisco World Spirits Competition for Five Judges Gin
The award recognizes the Texas-made spirit's exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to Old World distilling traditions FREDERICKSBURG, Texas, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Dietz Distillery is proud to announce that its handcrafted Five Judges Gin has been awarded a Silver Medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). Renowned for its rigorous blind tasting evaluation process, the SFWSC is one of the most respected spirits competitions in the world. This recognition places Five Judges Gin—a small-batch spirit crafted in the heart of the Texas Hill Country—among the finest gins globally. Handcrafted in Fredericksburg, Texas, Five Judges Gin is a juniper-forward, London dry-style gin distilled using old-world methods and the finest ingredients—including bright citrus from the Rio Grande Valley, giving it a uniquely Texan character. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the most prestigious and longest-standing in the industry, honors only the highest-quality spirits. Earning a Silver Medal is a proud recognition of the gin's exceptional craftsmanship and distinct flavor profile. "We've always believed in honoring tradition while capturing the bold spirit of Texas," said Dietz Fischer, owner and distiller at Dietz Distillery. "To see our Five Judges Gin recognized on a global stage is a tremendous honor. This award affirms our commitment to slow, intentional distilling and to producing something truly special right here in Fredericksburg." The name Five Judges pays tribute to the five judges who have called our farm home over the past century—three generations of the Wieser family, along with two early Texas justices—all of whom played a role in shaping the legal and civic foundations of the region: J.B. Wieser, Jarvis Wieser, Mark Wieser, M.A. Dooley, and Julius Schuchard. Now, with this award, it also signifies a place among the best gins worldwide. Five Judges Gin is available exclusively for purchase at Dietz Distillery, located at the Fischer & Wieser Farmstead in Fredericksburg, TX. About Dietz Distillery Founded by Dietz Fischer and rooted in a rich family legacy in Fredericksburg, Texas, Dietz Distillery combines Old World distillation techniques with Texas-German heritage. Inspired by his experience at Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods and trained under master distiller Markus Wieser in Austria, Dietz brings a deep commitment to tradition and quality. The distillery opened in 2021 with the debut of Five Judges Gin and now offers a distinctive range of premium spirits—including fruit brandies and other specialty spirits —crafted with farmstead grown fruits and locally sourced ingredients. Visitors are invited to enjoy immersive tastings and experience the artistry of small-batch distillation in a serene Texas Hill Country setting. For media inquiries, interviews, or to request a sample, please contact: Nicole Whorton Marketing & PR Manager Dietz Distillery Phone: (817) 932-5605 Email: Instagram: @dietzdistillery View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Dietz Distillery Sign in to access your portfolio
Times of Oman
09-03-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Austrian envoy Katharina Wieser stresses need for closer India-EU cooperation, calls 2025 "EU-India Year"
New Delhi: Austrian Ambassador to India, Katharina Wieser, expressed her optimism regarding the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union. She also said that the India-Austria ties moving in a positive direction, and stressed the need for closer cooperation between India and the EU. Speaking to ANI, Ambassador Wieser talked about the FTA negotiations and said, "I think it's something that has to come and that will come. We are very, very optimistic now. We have the political commitment from the highest level... It has to be a beneficial and partnership and agreement for both sides. There has to be enough in it for both sides to be able to sign this agreement. But I'm pretty sure that we will." "And I think the geopolitical, the global situation at the moment is such that closer cooperation between India and the European Union is the thing to do. We have been saying quite often that 2025 is the EU-India year," she added. Her remarks came on the sidelines of a cultural opera music event organised by the Austrian and German Embassy in New Delhi. Noting that the ties between India, Austria and the European Union has been intensifying over the past years, Ambassador Wieser affirmed hope that the trend will continue in the coming years. "I think that bilateral ties between India and let's say the European Union as a whole have been intensifying a lot over the past years and also with the individual countries like also with Austria. We saw many high-ranking visits as you know in the past years and in particular last year also with Prime Minister Modi visiting Austria. I'm convinced that the trend will continue. We have seen a lot of movement and intensification in all areas of our partnership, in the business sector, in the cultural sector, scientific cooperation," she said. Notably, she observed that there has been a lot of interest from the Austrian side with delegations coming in across avenues such as political and technical level. "So we are really, it's sort of really a very dynamic moment and are getting more and more interest from both sides, from Austria towards India and also the other way round. So I think we're in a good space", the Ambassador said.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wieser turns over the reins of Lake County Democrats
November 2016 was a rough month for Democrats, particularly those in Lake County, with the election of Republican President Donald Trump and the federal indictment of former Lake County Democratic Party Chairman and former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich, said Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Jim Wieser. Sitting with fellow local Democrats nearly 10 years ago, Wieser said he told the group that he believed the next county party chairman should not be an elected official. That way, the chairman could focus more on the party and not worry about conflicts with other officeholders, he said. What he wasn't expecting, Wieser said, was Lake County Board of Elections and Registration Director Michelle Fajman suggesting he should be chairman. Wieser was first elected in 1975 to serve on the Highland Town Council, where he served for two terms, before being elected in 1983 to the Lake County Council, where he served for one term. After that, Wieser said he served on appointed boards and worked as a municipal lawyer in Lake County. 'Believe me, I was not looking for this. I just raised the issue,' Wieser said. 'I said, 'No, it's not going to be me.' That's not why I brought it up. I brought it up just because I thought from an idealistic position it made sense.' Ultimately, Wieser decided to run. In 2017, Wieser ran against Lake County Commissioner Michael Repay, D-3rd, and the voting ended in a tie. Buncich had to cast the tie-breaking vote and choose Wieser, he said. Wieser said he was the first chairman who wasn't also serving in an elected office since at least the 1950s. But, after eight years at the helm, Wieser won't be seeking reelection as party chairman when party leaders meet Saturday for a reorganization meeting. Repay is running unopposed to be the next chairman. Repay said Wieser did a great job leading the party and focusing on the different voices and opinions of its hundreds of members. 'Jim took the party from a state of disarray and brought a lot of order to the party,' Repay said. 'He leaves it better than he found it.' The first 30 days on the job were tough, Wieser said, because he quickly learned that the party was bankrupt and it was announced that the building where the party's offices were located would be demolished. At the same time, Wieser had to work toward strengthening the party as its previous chairman was facing criminal charges for bribery. 'We needed to rebrand and let people know that it wasn't going to be business as usual,' Wieser said. 'We needed to be more transparent, more honest and more out in the community.' To start, Wieser said he and the party's executive team worked toward attracting younger, diverse candidates into political office. That goal started strong in 2018 with former State Rep. Chris Chyung, then 25, beating incumbent Republican Hal Slager and former State Rep. Lisa Beck beating incumbent Republican Julie Olthoff, Wieser said. In 2020, Slager and Olthoff reclaimed their seats against Chyung and Beck, respectively, and they currently serve as state representatives. Building off the wins of Chyung and Beck, Wieser said he focused on expanding Democratic control on the Crown Point City Council. In 2019, Zack Bryan and Dawn Stokes won elections for Crown Point City Council, Wieser said. That meant Crown Point, which was a Republican stronghold for generations, had a Democratic mayor and four Democratic members on the council, he said. Democrats saw younger, diverse candidates in 2019 in Hammond and Gary, Wieser said. In Hammond, council members Barry Tyler and Katrina Alexander — two young, Black candidates — won their seats. In Gary, former council president Tai Adkins and former Gary councilman William Godwin, also two young, Black candidates, won their seats, he said. In 2019, Democrats won two seats on the Munster Town Council, Wieser said, which he was proud of because Munster has a strong Republican base. In 2023, the Democratic candidates lost in a Republican sweep. 'You can't sit back. You can't rest on your laurels. You have to go out and you have to have a plan and you have to execute the plan,' Wieser said. 'All of the sudden we were getting younger people involved at the levels they needed to be involved in.' When former State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, said she wouldn't seek reelection in 2020 in order to run for the U.S. Congress, Wieser said he talked with different people to encourage them to run to succeed her. A few weeks before the filing deadline, Wieser said he got a call on a Saturday night from Mike Andrade, who he had never met before. Andrade told him he would like to run for Reardon's seat, and he invited Wieser to his home the next day to meet him and his supporters. That Sunday, Wieser said he met Andrade and about 30 of his supporters, which included many people Wieser knew. Andrade already had a campaign committee together, Wieser said. 'The passion in his voice, the conviction in his voice is a rarity to hear from people that want to run for office,' Wieser said. 'I am looking around going 'this is otherworldly.' This just doesn't happen when someone runs for office and in the 24 hours that you knew who he was he's got a well-oiled machine going.' Rep. Andrade, D-Munster, said Wieser is a personable chairman and always available to meet with or talk with the members in the party while balancing his personal and family life. '(The party) will miss his experience,' Andrade said. 'His tenure of decades of political experience here in Lake County and knowing how to maneuver through those challenges.' The chairmanship also came with challenges, Wieser said, like when former Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor, a former city police chief, decided to switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in August 2020 following the George Floyd protests. Within the first year of his chairmanship, Wieser said the state legislature consolidated precincts in Lake County, which reduced the number of precincts by one-third. Wieser said the gerrymandering led to the Republican's supermajority in Indiana. Beyond that, Wieser said it was challenging to be the leader of 17 political organizations, hundreds of elected officials and hundreds of precinct committeemen and vice committeemen and keep them focused on moving forward. To do that, Wieser said he worked with the party's vice chair Fajman, treasurer Peggy Holinga Katona, and secretary Christine Cid to keep everyone on track. Wieser worked with Fajman when he was the Democratic attorney for the Lake County Board of Elections and Registration for over a decade and when he was chairman for eight years, and he enjoyed working with a 'brilliant election administrator.' Fajman said Wieser has a vast knowledge of Lake County politics, which was helpful in moving the party forward. On the election side, Wieser was an advocate for early voting and worked toward making voting more accessible to registered voters, she said. 'I'm proud of the work we've done as an organization under his leadership,' Fajman said. While Wieser is stepping down as chairman, he'll still be around to offer advice and help the party, Fajman said. 'He'll still give input,' Fajman said. 'He's not going anywhere.' When working on elections, Wieser said he worked well with Republican Party Chairman Randy Niemeyer and former chairman Dan Dernulc. Whenever a small dispute came up, Wieser said he and both Republican chairmen resolved things quickly and effectively. Dernulc, who is now a State Senator, said he and Wieser always worked together in a cordial way. 'Jim and I are on different teams, but we were always professional and we always got along,' Dernulc said. Niemeyer, who serves on the Lake County Council, said Wieser was easy to work with, and he's sure Wieser will still serve the county as an attorney. 'I appreciate his service to his party, but in a larger sense his service to the county as well,' Niemeyer said. Wieser said he is leaving the party in a strong financial position and with headquarters in Griffith. Wieser said he's also proud of the outcomes the Lake County Democrats have achieved in the last eight years. 'It's an unbelievable feeling to know that you've been part of putting something together that you believe is terribly important to the continued success of communities, the success of our country, and the success of our state,' Wieser said. Wieser said he decided not to seek reelection because he felt it was time to step down. In September, he was going through some family documents and he came across a newspaper article from 1974 about him creating the Highland Young Democrats group. 'I don't want to be that person who hangs around too long,' Wieser said. 'I want to say I did what I could. I believe I did the best that I could.' When he announced he wouldn't seek reelection, Wieser said he'd hear from people that they couldn't be chairperson because it is a thankless job. 'I am thankful for this thankless job,' Wieser said. 'I wouldn't trade the eight years for anything.' akukulka@
Chicago Tribune
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Wieser turns over the reins of Lake County Democrats
November 2016 was a rough month for Democrats, particularly those in Lake County, with the election of Republican President Donald Trump and the federal indictment of former Lake County Democratic Party Chairman and former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich, said Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Jim Wieser. Sitting with fellow local Democrats nearly 10 years ago, Wieser said he told the group that he believed the next county party chairman should not be an elected official. That way, the chairman could focus more on the party and not worry about conflicts with other officeholders, he said. What he wasn't expecting, Wieser said, was Lake County Board of Elections and Registration Director Michelle Fajman suggesting he should be chairman. Wieser was first elected in 1975 to serve on the Highland Town Council, where he served for two terms, before being elected in 1983 to the Lake County Council, where he served for one term. After that, Wieser said he served on appointed boards and worked as a municipal lawyer in Lake County. 'Believe me, I was not looking for this. I just raised the issue,' Wieser said. 'I said, 'No, it's not going to be me.' That's not why I brought it up. I brought it up just because I thought from an idealistic position it made sense.' Ultimately, Wieser decided to run. In 2017, Wieser ran against Lake County Commissioner Michael Repay, D-3rd, and the voting ended in a tie. Buncich had to cast the tie-breaking vote and choose Wieser, he said. Wieser said he was the first chairman who wasn't also serving in an elected office since at least the 1950s. But, after eight years at the helm, Wieser won't be seeking reelection as party chairman when party leaders meet Saturday for a reorganization meeting. Repay is running unopposed to be the next chairman. Repay said Wieser did a great job leading the party and focusing on the different voices and opinions of its hundreds of members. 'Jim took the party from a state of disarray and brought a lot of order to the party,' Repay said. 'He leaves it better than he found it.' The first 30 days on the job were tough, Wieser said, because he quickly learned that the party was bankrupt and it was announced that the building where the party's offices were located would be demolished. At the same time, Wieser had to work toward strengthening the party as its previous chairman was facing criminal charges for bribery. 'We needed to rebrand and let people know that it wasn't going to be business as usual,' Wieser said. 'We needed to be more transparent, more honest and more out in the community.' To start, Wieser said he and the party's executive team worked toward attracting younger, diverse candidates into political office. That goal started strong in 2018 with former State Rep. Chris Chyung, then 25, beating incumbent Republican Hal Slager and former State Rep. Lisa Beck beating incumbent Republican Julie Olthoff, Wieser said. In 2020, Slager and Olthoff reclaimed their seats against Chyung and Beck, respectively, and they currently serve as state representatives. Building off the wins of Chyung and Beck, Wieser said he focused on expanding Democratic control on the Crown Point City Council. In 2019, Zack Bryan and Dawn Stokes won elections for Crown Point City Council, Wieser said. That meant Crown Point, which was a Republican stronghold for generations, had a Democratic mayor and four Democratic members on the council, he said. Democrats saw younger, diverse candidates in 2019 in Hammond and Gary, Wieser said. In Hammond, council members Barry Tyler and Katrina Alexander — two young, Black candidates — won their seats. In Gary, former council president Tai Adkins and former Gary councilman William Godwin, also two young, Black candidates, won their seats, he said. In 2019, Democrats won two seats on the Munster Town Council, Wieser said, which he was proud of because Munster has a strong Republican base. In 2023, the Democratic candidates lost in a Republican sweep. 'You can't sit back. You can't rest on your laurels. You have to go out and you have to have a plan and you have to execute the plan,' Wieser said. 'All of the sudden we were getting younger people involved at the levels they needed to be involved in.' When former State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, said she wouldn't seek reelection in 2020 in order to run for the U.S. Congress, Wieser said he talked with different people to encourage them to run to succeed her. A few weeks before the filing deadline, Wieser said he got a call on a Saturday night from Mike Andrade, who he had never met before. Andrade told him he would like to run for Reardon's seat, and he invited Wieser to his home the next day to meet him and his supporters. That Sunday, Wieser said he met Andrade and about 30 of his supporters, which included many people Wieser knew. Andrade already had a campaign committee together, Wieser said. 'The passion in his voice, the conviction in his voice is a rarity to hear from people that want to run for office,' Wieser said. 'I am looking around going 'this is otherworldly.' This just doesn't happen when someone runs for office and in the 24 hours that you knew who he was he's got a well-oiled machine going.' Rep. Andrade, D-Munster, said Wieser is a personable chairman and always available to meet with or talk with the members in the party while balancing his personal and family life. '(The party) will miss his experience,' Andrade said. 'His tenure of decades of political experience here in Lake County and knowing how to maneuver through those challenges.' The chairmanship also came with challenges, Wieser said, like when former Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor, a former city police chief, decided to switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in August 2020 following the George Floyd protests. Within the first year of his chairmanship, Wieser said the state legislature consolidated precincts in Lake County, which reduced the number of precincts by one-third. Wieser said the gerrymandering led to the Republican's supermajority in Indiana. Beyond that, Wieser said it was challenging to be the leader of 17 political organizations, hundreds of elected officials and hundreds of precinct committeemen and vice committeemen and keep them focused on moving forward. To do that, Wieser said he worked with the party's vice chair Fajman, treasurer Peggy Holinga Katona, and secretary Christine Cid to keep everyone on track. Wieser worked with Fajman when he was the Democratic attorney for the Lake County Board of Elections and Registration for over a decade and when he was chairman for eight years, and he enjoyed working with a 'brilliant election administrator.' Fajman said Wieser has a vast knowledge of Lake County politics, which was helpful in moving the party forward. On the election side, Wieser was an advocate for early voting and worked toward making voting more accessible to registered voters, she said. 'I'm proud of the work we've done as an organization under his leadership,' Fajman said. While Wieser is stepping down as chairman, he'll still be around to offer advice and help the party, Fajman said. 'He'll still give input,' Fajman said. 'He's not going anywhere.' When working on elections, Wieser said he worked well with Republican Party Chairman Randy Niemeyer and former chairman Dan Dernulc. Whenever a small dispute came up, Wieser said he and both Republican chairmen resolved things quickly and effectively. Dernulc, who is now a State Senator, said he and Wieser always worked together in a cordial way. 'Jim and I are on different teams, but we were always professional and we always got along,' Dernulc said. Niemeyer, who serves on the Lake County Council, said Wieser was easy to work with, and he's sure Wieser will still serve the county as an attorney. 'I appreciate his service to his party, but in a larger sense his service to the county as well,' Niemeyer said. Wieser said he is leaving the party in a strong financial position and with headquarters in Griffith. Wieser said he's also proud of the outcomes the Lake County Democrats have achieved in the last eight years. 'It's an unbelievable feeling to know that you've been part of putting something together that you believe is terribly important to the continued success of communities, the success of our country, and the success of our state,' Wieser said. Wieser said he decided not to seek reelection because he felt it was time to step down. In September, he was going through some family documents and he came across a newspaper article from 1974 about him creating the Highland Young Democrats group. 'I don't want to be that person who hangs around too long,' Wieser said. 'I want to say I did what I could. I believe I did the best that I could.' When he announced he wouldn't seek reelection, Wieser said he'd hear from people that they couldn't be chairperson because it is a thankless job. 'I am thankful for this thankless job,' Wieser said. 'I wouldn't trade the eight years for anything.'
