India to declare tea a national beverage
India is moving ahead with plans to declare tea a national beverage on April 17, 2013. The date will coincide with the 212th birth anniversary of first Assamese tea-planter who was hanged by British colonial rulers for taking part in the rebellion of 1857. Maniram Dewan is celebrated for introducing commercial tea production to the region of Assam, currently India's largest tea-growing region, and for his role in a plot to throw the British out of Assam that was crushed by colonial forces and resulted in many casualties. The tea industry will also be celebrated as an important employer of women and the largest employer in the organized sector. The move is set to face opposition from proponents of other popular Indian beverages such as coconut water, lemon water and yoghurt-based lassi, considered by some as healthier choices.