If you think the East India Company died a
natural death following India's independence, then think again. The
company is not only alive and kicking but has also launched a new office
in the Qatari capital of Doha in collaboration with local partner
Nasser al Ansari of Octagon International. A grand launch event
attended by Her Majesty's Deputy Head of Mission Cecille El Beleidi was
held on Monday to mark the occasion. The company's entry into Qatar is
part of its strategic regional and global expansion plans. It already
runs a store in Kuwait since 2013 and is close to completion for
franchises in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This is the Company's second
store in the Middle East and carries a selection of fine teas and
coffees; artisan sweet and biscuits; a chocolate range; and jams and
marmalades. The extensive range also includes the Company's
hand-crafted bone china and porcelain for tea and coffee. Each piece is
painted by a master craftsmen using mineral paints and 18 carat gold.
The Company offers products that have been crafted by artisans and
specialists from around the world using ingredients that have been
sourced for their quality. "I was delighted to attend the ribbon
cutting ceremony of the first East India Company store in Qatar. It is
fantastic to see the revival of such a great British name and a store
that houses a delectable array of fine teas, chocolates, biscuits and
gifts," Cecille El Beleidi said. Since its creation in 1600 by The
Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I, the influence of The East
India Company has been great. It transformed Britain's dining tables
through the introduction of exotic ingredients and flavors, but more
fundamentally, it changed the world's tastes, its thinking, and its
people. Yet it remains a quintessentially British brand with influences
from diverse cultures. In August 2010, the re-born and revived East
India Company launched its flagship Fine Foods store in the heart of
London's Mayfair. Within 3 years it opened two more doors in the UK.
India-born Sanjiv Mehta acquired the over 400-year-old company in 2005.
"We look forward to sharing our rich stories with customers who we know
will appreciate our gourmet foods and unparallelled heritage," said
Mehta, Chairman of The East India Company.
Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar attracted opposition BJP's ire today in Rajya Sabha when he said he was not interested in listening to speech of a BJP member on vote on account, prompting the Chair to adjourn the House amid uproar. During the Zero Hour, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien allowed Aiyar, who wanted to ask a question, to do so, which was opposed by BJP members. Kurien asked Aiyar whether he yielded to allow others to speak, to which he said he had no objection and he can ask his question later. As the House got ready to initiate discussion on Vote on Account, Kurien said, "Let us reduce the discussion to two hours from four hours," which was opposed by BJP members including Piyush Goyal who was given a chance to speak on Vote on Account. When it was agreed that discussion will take place as per schedule, Aiyar remarked he was not interested in listening to the speech by BJP member. "You had given me the chance to ask a question
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