K’taka to launch lemon tea points to promote Indi lemons
Dakshina Kannada, Udupi among target districts
Vijayapura: In a bid to popularise Indi lemons, which have been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, the Karnataka Lime Development Board has launched a state-wide initiative by setting up lemon tea points. The move aims to showcase the unique flavour and health benefits of lemons grown in Vijayapura, Karnataka’s largest lemon-producing district.
The project, which began with the opening of a lemon tea point in Indi town, has received positive feedback. Encouraged by the response, the board now plans to expand the initiative to other districts. “The Lemon Tea Point initiative has taken off well in Indi, and we are planning to replicate it across Karnataka, including in Bengaluru, Dakshin Kannada, and Udupi in the next two months,” The New Indian Express quoted Yashwantraigoud Patil, MLA from Indi, as saying.
H. S. Patil, In-charge Managing Director of the Board, said the initiative aims to establish Indi lemon as a globally recognised brand. He explained that through the launch of tea points and the promotion of products like lemon pickle, the board intends to showcase the superior quality of lemons from Indi to a broader audience.
To further boost visibility, the board is also planning to give franchise to others to popularise the lemons of Vijayapura, added the report.
One of the key promotional strategies includes setting up lemon tea stalls at public events, such as agricultural fairs and flower shows. Additionally, lemon pickles made from Indi lemons have been introduced, with over 200 kilograms already sold at stalls. The pickles received notable demand during the recent Bengaluru Flower Show.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
