G20 Sidelights: Andrew's Yule Tea attract foreign media persons and tea enthusiasts

 G20 Sidelight: Andrew's Yule Tea attract foreign media persons and tea enthusiasts

New Delhi 

Here, a lot is happening over 'chai'. 

Lawns at Pragati Maidan, now more known by the Bharat Mandapam, the venue hosting the historic G20 Summit came alive at the Exhibition Corner. 

The stall put on by Andrew Yule, India's only tea PSU, for the last three days September 8th, 9th and 10th generated much interest among tea lovers. The tea enthusiasts included Indian journalists, officials and a galaxy of media personalities from across the globe.

Shringla at the Andrew Yule counter

"In a lighter sense I can tell you journalists across the globe are the slogging lot and they get exhausted after tiring long hours. So they have an inherent interest in tea. The energy-giver beverage has a botanical name Camellia sinensis. Chinese and Japanese media persons seem to know a lot about tea," says Debajit Nag, Deputy General Manager (Marketing), Andrew Yule.

"But our tea packaged in Andrew Yule units are among the best. We offer about 40 ranges of tea but most of our end users are fond of Darjeeling and Assam tea. We are fortunate to participate in this year's G20 Summit as Andrew Yule, one of the world's oldest brands, has got a fresh chance for exposure to the international market once again," he says.

Answering questions from tea enthusiasts and journalists, Debajit says, "Our specialty is unique. Most of our tea varieties are from a single estate ensuring uniformity. We offer authentic garden fresh and pure products".

Why should people prefer a time-tested brand like Andrew. Nag is shy but candid, "firstly, we can guarantee you that there is no mixing of high and low quality and multiple gardens tea as mostly done in the market".

The company has undergone a long journey. "It all started in 1863 with a young Scottish gentleman Andrew Yule showing his interest in business. But his products were jute, tea and cotton....He struggled hard and at the time of independence in 1947, our company was at the zenith of its prosperity. Things moved on and in 1979 finally, the group became a public sector enterprise under Govt of India's Heavy Industries". 

It's a truly reliable name in the business today, he adds.

blogger and Nag 

Among others, former India's foreign secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, also the Chief Coordinator for India's G20 Presidency, visited the counter on September 9 and encouraged the officials.

"All three days there has been sizable business. But occasions like this are not for pushing sales per se. I think we have successfully made use of the business motto of 'Think global, act local' by setting up a small counter on the sidelines of G20. This was a prestigious occasion and we have fared well," says Nag.

"Well, I will not go into business details on this occasion. But the exposure was really unique as when we pack up the unit and go back to Kolkata and some of my colleagues reach the gardens in Assam and parts of West Bengal, we will have a fair share of satisfaction," says Nag.

But hardly it is the storm in a teacup. He smiles; and encourages you to take a sip of the beverage. 

 

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