On 25th November 2014, I attended the 10th edition of K2K Forum – Kolkata to Kunming – took place in Kunming, in the Yunnan province of China.  The twin sister cities host the forum alternately, and this was the fourth time for me since 2010.Rajiv December

The Forum has been growing ever since its inception: this year, the Hindi language was included, in addition to English and Chinese as the medium of communication – albeit little other than Indian songs and dances performed by Chinese artists and students during a cultural program. There are growing job opportunities for Indian nationals in China for increasing business for Chinese enterprise in India.

Since the forum focuses more on cultural and educational activities, our business interests were met by showcasing our Tea Blossom MOU with China Tea Blossom Technology Ltd., Beijing. We were represented there by Carol or Lin Zhi Min. These efforts were keenly studied by Mr. Nagraj Naidu, Consul General from Indian Consulate in Guangzhou and Mr. Zhou Maoyi, Deputy Consul General from Chinese Consulate in Kolkata.

Rajiv Dec 3A hitherto mostly waste product of tea processing will be converted into industrial use in food processing and health & skin care products. This opportunity encouraged almost every intelligent mind associated with society and business – especially Indian delegation leader Mr. Krishnan Srinivasan, former Foreign Secretary of India.

We high lighted this point: tea is an integral part of the economies of both Yunnan and Bengal. The 2500 kilometre land route connecting this 1500 kilometre aerial distance has nothing but tea as the major annual agricultural produce -1 billion kilos.  This area is connecting the whole world through their famous Darjeeling, Assam and Pu’er teas.

Rajiv Lochan is a tea researcher, grower, and ambassador.  Learn more at Lochan Tea. Images courtesy of Rajiv Lochan.