The European Union has asked for public opinions on Darjeeling Tea, a step towards granting patent to the brew growing in the Darjeeling hills after its producers requested GI protection of the commodity.

Six months have been given to file objections before a decision can be taken to grant Geographical Indicator status to Darjeeling Tea.

Refuge in loco shed for ever?
Darjeeling, Oct. 4: The world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) seems to have run out of steam.

The DHR

The state home secretary today visited the flood-hit Chunabhatti village in Bagrakote on the last leg of his whirlwind tour to assess the damage caused by the recent rains in Darjeeling district.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha today cancelled its much-hyped public meeting scheduled here in the afternoon because of the fresh bout of landslides that struck the hills.

The party top brass, however, continues to be tight-lipped on the expulsion of Jaswant Singh, who was elected MP from Darjeeling with Morcha support, from the BJP.

Water from rivers across north Bengal has started receding following less rainfall in the hills and the plains, save a couple of places.

Kalimpong, July 6: For villagers of Nimbong and Pabringtar, last week

May 26, 2009 was the darkest day for people living in the Darjeeling hills. Cyclone Aila struck with fury. Around 27 people died and hundreds were left homeless. Landslides ripped homes, electricity connections snapped and roads were left in tatters.

A survey will be carried out in the Gorubathan block of the Kalimpong subdivision, where 50 people have been affected by malaria.

Sources said the regional malaria director for north Bengal, Tulsi Pramanik, along with a team of experts, will visit the areas hit by the disease and suggest preventive measures.

A 10-member parliamentary committee on a tour of various states in India believes that a lot needs to be done till the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) succeeds in its mission.

The central scheme is essentially aimed at universalising elementary education in the country.

A comprehensive profile of the Darjeeling hill topography using satellite imagery can be of great use for preparing land-use plans in the landslide-prone region.

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