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At ₹40,000 per kilogram, Silver Tips Imperial tea from the Makaibari estate in Kurseong, Darjeeling, is a luxury steeped in tradition and meticulous care. Harvested only during specific full moon nights when celestial bodies align, the tea is plucked by hand, ensuring only the finest unopened buds are selected. This biodynamic approach, coupled with a commitment to organic farming, enhances the tea's unique flavor profile, which features notes of honey and wildflowers. The production process, overseen by experienced estate manager Sanjay Das, involves careful withering, hand-rolling, and precise oxidation to preserve the tea's delicate qualities. Makaibari, now part of the Luxmi Group, produces over 90,000 kg of tea annually, with a significant portion exported globally. The estate's rich heritage includes notable gifts to figures like Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, while plans for expansion include new retail outlets and a lifestyle space in Kolkata. 
Published: Jul 29 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAir India has asserted its commitment to transparency following a recent safety audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which identified 51 findings during its annual review in July. The airline clarified that the audit was unrelated to a Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad last month. An Air India spokesperson stated that the airline is dedicated to continuous improvement and will respond to the DGCA's findings, including corrective actions, within the required timeframe. The 11-page DGCA report highlighted several Level I breaches that must be addressed by July 30, along with 44 non-compliances due by August 23. Key issues included recurrent training gaps for some pilots, inadequate route assessments for Category C airports, and concerns over crew fatigue management. The DGCA has previously criticized Air India's rostering system and noted lapses in emergency equipment checks and timely engine part replacements.
Published: Jul 29 2025, 10 pmeznews.inSmall tea growers' associations in West Bengal are urging the State Government to implement urgent policy reforms to enhance the bargaining power and financial access of over 50,000 small growers, who contribute 64% of the region's tea output. The associations highlight issues such as price distortions and inadequate access to government schemes, which threaten the viability of small tea cultivation. They are calling for fair pricing, a sustainable minimum price for tea, and regulation of leaf agents through a licensing system. A recent status paper reveals that small growers face challenges due to limited landholdings and reliance on intermediaries, which diminish their earnings. Despite the Tea Board's mandated Price Sharing Formula, many growers do not receive fair compensation due to poor enforcement and a lack of awareness. The associations hope that government intervention will address these issues and support the livelihoods of those dependent on the sector.
Published: Jul 29 2025, 10 pmeznews.inArecanut exports from Bangladesh and Myanmar to India have surged significantly in the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada. Exports from Bangladesh skyrocketed from $13.29 million in 2023-24 to $53.06 million in 2024-25, increasing its share of India's total arecanut imports to 37% from just 9% the previous year. Myanmar also saw a rise, with exports climbing to $33.20 million from $15.61 million. In contrast, Sri Lanka and Indonesia experienced declines in their exports to India, with Sri Lankan shipments dropping to $35.97 million from $69.87 million, and Indonesian exports falling to $15.36 million from $43.14 million. Overall, India’s total arecanut imports were valued at $143.45 million in 2024-25, down from $147.99 million in the previous year.
Published: Jul 29 2025, 9 pmeznews.inGoodricke Group, a prominent tea producer and subsidiary of UK-based Camellia Plc, is embarking on a significant restructuring to transition into a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company. During its 49th Annual General Meeting, Executive Vice Chairman Arun Narain Singh announced plans to diversify the business by selling off tea gardens and venturing into the hospitality sector, with identified assets in Kolkata, the Dooars, and Darjeeling for hotel conversions. The new FMCG offerings will include milk and horticulture products, as well as white-label items, all marketed under the Goodricke brand. The company aims to leverage its land assets for horticulture crops like turmeric, garlic, and ginger, and is in discussions with the West Bengal Government to repurpose non-tea growing areas. Goodricke has already sold two gardens for ₹44.6 crore and plans to sell two more as part of its strategic shift.
Published: Jul 29 2025, 9 pmeznews.inCarriers from India and the UK currently operate around 40 daily flights between the two nations, a figure expected to rise following the recent signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This agreement will grant duty-free access to 99% of India's exports, aiming to double bilateral trade to over $110 billion by 2030. David Shepherd, CEO of IAG Cargo, emphasized the importance of India as a market, stating that the agreement will enhance trade opportunities. Virgin Atlantic echoed this sentiment, noting a shift in the commodity mix of Indian exports towards high-tech goods and pharmaceuticals. Air India remains the largest airline in this market, despite recent capacity cuts, followed by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Experts highlight that airlines must improve capacity and cost competitiveness to meet the anticipated demand, with new cargo terminals being developed in key Indian cities to support this growth.
Published: Jul 29 2025, 7 pmeznews.inBagdogra Airport, situated in West Bengal's Siliguri, is set to undergo significant expansion with the development of a new terminal aimed at enhancing regional connectivity. Currently equipped with a single terminal that accommodates 3 million passengers annually, the new facility will be capable of handling approximately 1,000 passengers per hour and will feature a climate-resilient design over a built-up area of 1.2 million square feet. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) is spearheading this project, which spans 21 hectares and is expected to be operational by 2028. Designed by CP Kukreja Architects, the terminal will incorporate advanced stormwater management systems to address environmental vulnerabilities, making it a pioneering infrastructure initiative in India. This expansion is part of a broader effort to upgrade aviation facilities in strategically important regions, reinforcing Bagdogra's role as a vital hub for both civilian and tourism-related travel.
Published: Jul 29 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe area under pigeonpea (tur/arhar) cultivation for the kharif season has declined by approximately 8% compared to last year, primarily due to reduced acreage in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, as farmers shift to more profitable crops like maize and cotton. As of July 25, only 34.90 lakh hectares have been planted, down from 37.99 lakh hectares in 2024, against a normal target of 44.71 lakh hectares. Karnataka's tur acreage is currently at 13.01 lakh hectares, with expectations of a slight increase as sowing continues. Low market prices, ranging from ₹5,300 to ₹6,700 per quintal—well below the minimum support price of ₹8,000—are prompting farmers to switch crops. In contrast, Telangana has seen an increase in tur cultivation, with acreage rising to 4.21 lakh hectares. Overall, India's pigeon pea imports have surged to 12.23 lakh tonnes, reflecting ample domestic supplies.
Published: Jul 29 2025, 8 pmeznews.inSanjay Bhimsingh Yadav, a farmer from Sikar, Rajasthan, is demonstrating the viability of natural farming on his 13 bighas (over 8 acres) of land, primarily cultivating vegetables and supplementing his income through dairy and mushroom production. Since adopting natural farming in 2012, Yadav has achieved impressive results, selling his produce at higher prices—₹5-10/kg more than conventional vegetables—due to the absence of chemicals. He grows maize and vegetables, including a tri-colour maize variety, and has successfully cultivated button mushrooms, generating sales of ₹2.10 lakh last year. Yadav's farm produces comparable yields to those using chemical fertilizers, and he sells excess vegetables to markets in Jaipur and Delhi. As a member of the Navjagruti Krishak Producer Company, he emphasizes the community's commitment to natural farming, which has garnered customer loyalty and higher sales.
Published: Jul 29 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Finance Ministry revealed that eleven public sector banks (PSBs) collected approximately ₹9,000 crore in penalties over the past five years for customers failing to maintain minimum balances in their savings accounts. This information was disclosed in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday in response to a query from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Notably, the State Bank of India eliminated average monthly minimum balance charges in March 2020, with several other PSBs following suit from the second quarter of FY26. In contrast, private sector banks, which impose higher fees, have not yet announced similar waivers. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary indicated that the Department of Financial Services has advised banks to reconsider these charges, particularly for customers in semi-urban and rural areas. The Reserve Bank of India has established guidelines for such penalties, allowing banks to set charges based on their policies while ensuring transparency.
Published: Jul 29 2025, 7 pmeznews.inRail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, has secured a ₹447 crore contract to construct a metro link between Lajpat Nagar and Saket G Block for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as part of the Delhi MRTS Phase IV project. This initiative, which marks RVNL's first collaboration with DMRC, involves the design and construction of a 7.298 km elevated viaduct and seven elevated stations, each featuring 74-meter-long platforms. The planned stations include Saket G Block, Pushp Vihar, Saket District Centre, Pushpa Bhawan, Chirag Delhi, Greater Kailash-1, Andrews Ganj, and Lajpat Nagar. The project is expected to be completed within 36 months. RVNL's Chairman and Managing Director, Pradeep Gaur, emphasized the company's commitment to enhancing India's infrastructure, noting that RVNL is already involved in metro projects across eight cities.
Published: Jul 29 2025, 7 pm
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