What's New

SPECIAL NOTICE
"All images and materials on the Koi Hai website are copyright. Permission must be sought first
if you intend to use them.For information please contact the Editor at
editorkoihai@aol.com."

 May 16 2013

To view the cup awarded to the AVLH 3rd Squadron Camp Tezpur 1915 Proficiency Examination 1st Prize please Click Here

May 15 2013

Were pleased to welcome Ramniwas Jhalani to the Directory--a retiree and would like to contact old friends to read please Click Here

May 12 2013
 An interesting  collection of photos from Assam Tea in the 1880's to view please
Click Here



May 12 2013/

The last Brit on the River Kwai: Reg Twigg, one of the few remaining survivors of the Death Railway, died last week but the story he left behind will stay with you forever, to read please Click Here

May 12 2013
Recently, U.K.’s National Army Museum conducted a poll on Britain’s
greatest battle f
ought over the last 400 years. Waterloo, Aliwal, D-Day/Normandy, Rorke’s Drift and the twin battles of Imphal and Kohima were selected as the top five battles --We have manqaged to show several stories of this time to read Please Click Here



May 7 2013
A young lady is looking for information on Reginald Walmsley to read please Click Here


May 5 2013

Shona Patel has written a book "Tea Time for The Firefly" Shona was born and brought up in Tea to view please Click Here


May 4 2013

The Editor is privileged to have received an informative and enjoyable letter from Jill Dawkins of her very recent visit to Assam. to read please Click Here

May 2 2013

To read the recent report on the Past, Present, and Future of the Indian Tea Industy --report from Tocklai Experimental station  Click Here


May 2 2013

Sadly we have a report of the sad end to a Daredevli wire walker at the Teesta Bridge to view please Click Here

April 28 2013


A display shown at Hong Kong airport all about Tea to view please Click Here

April 28 2013

The  photographs, List of Attendees, and the Convener's report on the Eastbourne Lunch are on site. To view please Click Here

April 25 2013

Anyone who worked at the Namrup  FCI (Fertilizer) plant in Assam in 1968 should look at the request from Milton Dean please Click Here




 April 24 2013

A page from History –‘Sweeper the Brave’ by Major General (retd) Syed Ali Hamid to read a great story please Click Here

April 24 2013
This is an historic document and will be of great interest to those who were with the Jhanzie and Jokai Companies as well as others who were in the Panitola/Dikom/Lahoal/Dibru and Doom Dooma areas to read p-lease Click Here

April 19 2013
Peter Byrne is trying to find and make contact with Tom Tyson, a planter from the Dooars, last seen there in about 1953.  Please look at the Where are They Now page by clicking Here


April 19 2013

Thanks to Kailash Chaurasia we have an interesting story about the problems Majuli Island in the middle of the Bramhaputra river is encountering to read please Click Here


April 18 2013

The Tea board of the UK have awarded Davenport's of Northwich the UK"s Top Teas Place for 2013 to read please Click Here


 April 18 2013

A very bad storm hit the Calcutta/West Bengal area on april 17 to read please
Click Here




April 17 2013
 
A very informative photo of 1870 of the view from Eden Sanatorium in Darjeeling to view please Click Here


April 16 2013

Here we have the BI-ANNUAL REPORT of WITTA TEA GARDEN which is the
smallest tea garden on the earth but bstubbornly refused recognition By the Guinness book of records to read please Click Here


 April 13 2013

Kazaringa deploys Drones to help fight poaching and killing of Rhinos for
their tusks to view please Click here




April 12 2013

Thanks to Micky Massar we have a great collection of photographs of West Bengal and Calcutta today to view please Click Here

April 11 2013
We are pleased to welcome Bhupinder Oberoi as a new member of the Koi Hai community  for his details please Click Here


 April 11 2013

Interesting comments by McLeod Russell Chief to read please Click Here

April 6 2013

Thanks to Shamol Ghosal we have some interesting explanations about Tea to view please Click Here


April 2 2013

We are privileged to have the copy of the Eulogy given by Finn Jackson for his father Colin Jackson whom we knew and respected to view, please Click here

April 1 2013

Tim Crabb has kindly given us a report of his recent visits to Assam where he had been as a boy and also the family visit to Kaziranga to view please Click Here


April 1 2013

Clive Roberson has created his April Newsletter absolutely on time, to read please Click Here

March 30 2013

An article from the Wall Street Journal telling of the efforts to save the Rhinos in Assam from poachers to read please Click Here



 March 27 2013

An interesting article about the industrialisation of Bengal over the years to read please Click Here

March 22 2013

We are again indebted to Saumitra Sen for giving us the story of Dharamsala and the search for Kangra Tea to read please Click Here

March 22 2013

Phil Bayley recently gave a talk about Assam to the local junior school where he lives and he has shared with us the 'Thank you Mr Bayley' from the children for which we thank him, to read please Click Here



March 22 2013

Sadly we have been advised of the passing of Victor Austin --to read please Click Here

March 18 2013

Yfke Simpson --Tells us that she enjoys reading the "What's New" page and would appreciate being contacted if any old friends would like information from the past
Yfke's e-mail address is ysimpson@talktalk.net


March 17 2013

Minoo Avari has placed an old photo which he would like help in dating. It shows  his Grandfather and other worthies-- to view please Click Here

March 17 2013

We are delighted to welcome a new Correspondent who tells of his time as a Trainee Assistant 33 years ago in the Dooars, to read please Click Here

March 14 2013

Here we have another description of "V" Force to read please Click Here


 March 13 2013

We have to thank Peter Ducker for a great story of the V Force in Eastern India and Burma during WW11 to read please Click here


March 13 2013

To read a fine description of Cachar please Click here



March 12 2013

To read of the Military and tea management career of C M Spaull please
Click here

March 12 2013
We have the details of  "Marianne North, a Very Intrepid Painter", Thanks to Alan Lane,  to visit please Click Here

March 12 2013

To learn of the Shortage of rainfall in the Barak tea industry please Click Here

February 26 2013

We care indebted to Venki Shenoi for senjding us a fascinating collection of photographs of his visit to India early this year to go there please Click here

February 26 2013

 on the BOOKS page Early Photographs of Ladak  Comprising:  From Simla through Ladac & Cashmere by Captain Robert Melville Clarke  with an Introduction by Hugh Rayner F.R.G.S., F.R.A.S. to view please Click Here


February 24 2013

Thanks to Minoo Avari we have an Oil painting on paper of Darjeeling, by Marianne North (1830-1890) to read please Click Here


February 24 2013


Police in Calcutta are using the picture on the cover of the iconic Beatles album 
Abbey Road
in a campaign to enforce road safety to read please Click Here

 
 February 23 2013

Lekha Mathur the widow of the late Suresh Mathur wishes to reconnect with planters she knew from the Dooars, Darjeeling, Cachar & Assam ( North & South Banks) to read her request please Click Here



February 18 2013

More newspaper cuttings about what is happening in the world of Tea, to read please Click Here


February 17 2013

We are pleased to report that Hamish Young has joined the e-mail directory to read please Click Here


February 7 2013

Jasbir  S. Randhawa tells us that sadly Nandan Kilpadi passed away to read please Click Here




February 5 2013

 India's undiscovered gem: the hills of Meghalaya--to view please Click Here


February 3 2013

Kanchenjunga from Darjeeling - Painting by Edward Lear, 1877  to view please Click Here

January 30 2013

Burma's buried Spitfires: the inside story of one man's obsession---  to read please Click Here

January 29 2013

Thanks to Shamol Ghosal we have four newspaper cuttings all about TEA to view please Click Here


January 25 2013

Thanks to Pratyush Parasar Sarma we have the story of a McLeod Russell planter from the 50’s who was killed flying his Aeronca Chief single engine propeller aircraft to read please Click Here


 January 24 2013

We had some technical difficulties and have had to make a new page for
Tea News this has been completed and there are some stories of interest, the latest being a story about a tea cartel to boost prices and profits to view please Click Here



January 24 2013
Sadly we are told by Bill Beattie of the sad passing of Ivan A. Rufus to read
please Click Here



|JANUARY 23 2013

We are grateful to Mike Garnett who gives us a report of Tea Growing in New Zealand --a little different to read please Click Here


January 22 2013
Famous bridge in India is in danger of coming down ... because of spit
to read please Click Here

January 18 2013
Three generations of Avaris--to see the photo please Click Here 

January 18 2013
Another amusing memory from the Sino/Indian war to read please
Click Here

January 16 2013

 Thanks to Derek Perry and his old friend Commodore Subrata Bose we have Raj Era historical photographs to view please Click Here

January 14 2013

Miss Marples Tea Room in Southern Australia to read about please
Click Here


January 10 2013
We welcome a new member of the E-Mail Directory Narendra Pal to read Bio please Click Here



January 9 2013

Peter Byrne on behalf of his brother Bryan is trying to find an old friend Forbes Fisher to read please Click Here



 January 7 2013
Thanks to Alan Lane we have the question. Does anyone remember Polson's Butter ?  to read please Click Here



January 7 2013
Having seen Roy Church's story of Highway Tales Dick Scott  has added memories of 'Road Skills' in Assam to read please Click Here

January 7 2013
Sadly we have to report the sad passing of A K Tiwari (Moti) to read please
Click Here


January 6 2012

We are pleased to have another amusing reminisce "More Highway Tales of Yesteryear" from Roy Church to read please Click Here


January 5 2012
Thanks to Denys Shortt we have an interesting account of a visit to Darjeeling by Diana Preston and it's history to read please Click Here


JANUARY 4 2013
To read the anouncement and details about the 2013 Eastbourne Reunion please Click Here

 January 3 2013
Dick Scott the great story teller is back, with a fishing story of merit,  to read please Click  Here


December 31 2012
Peter Byrne is trying to contact a lady pilot possibly in Papua New Guinea to read please Click Here

December 29 2012
We are delighted to tell everyone that our great supporter Denys Shortt

has been awarded the O.B.E. to read please Click Here


 December 26 2012
Thanks to Robin Humphries we have  a good explanation of Darjeeling Tea Company's plans  for the future to read please Click Here

DECEMBER 25 2012

Peter Byrne is trying to find information on the NAGRAKATA Cemetery in the Dooars to read please Click Here

Bryan Byrne is trying to find out the whereabouts of Alan Richardson to read Click Here

December 23 2012

We are pleased to show the Darjeeling Toy Train thanks to Minoo Avari to see please Click Here


December 18 2012
We are pleased to announce the arrangements for the second Stratford Reunion to read please Click Here


December 16 2012
Thanks to Pullock Dutta of the Telegraph of Calcutta we have the story of the Secretary of the Jorhat Race Committee of 1932 who absconded with the funds to read please Click Here


December 16 2012
More input on the subject of Indian words being used in English especially in Assam to read please Click Here


December 13 2012

The 2013 Eastbourne Reunion lunch will be held on Tuesday April 16  to read all about please click here


December 9 2012

Sadly we have to report the sad passing of Colin Jackson to read please Click Here

December 9 2012

Thanks to Pratyush Parasar Sarma we have  a description of the  well maintained cemetry in downtown Golaghat as it is taday plus the names on the gravestones and photographs of the stones to view please
Click Here



December 6 2012
We are having some fun with names which English inherited from India and also people sending their New Year and Christmas greetings to all Please go to ARTICLES and the both pages at your leisure Greetins at the top and Names at the bottom--perhaps you could add some ?
Editor


December 4 2012
This page tells of K S Dev's leaving and return to the Tea Industry to read please Click Here


December 4 2012
A page has been created to allow old Koi Hais the opportunity to send their New Year and Christmas Greetings to their friends to read please Click Here


December 3 2012
The Sino-Indian war memories Clive Roberson has added his interesting bit to read please Click Here


December 3 2012

A page has been created for old Koi Hais to send their New Year and Christmas greetings to old Koi Hai friends to read please Click Here
December 2 2012

Thanks to my daughter Penny, we can show the article by Mark Tully on Tea Plucking by hand versus the possibility of machine plucking to read please Click Here


November 29 2012
A couple of old photographs from Minoo Avari's collection--the car at the Calcutta Royal Turf Club is of unknown vintage can you help?  
to view please
Click Here


November 27 2012
A suggestion as to what Bar-Per-Ree-Bap meant to read please ,
Click Here


November 27 2012
Thanks to Roy Church we now know all about  Continental Snooker, to read please Click Here

November 26 2012
A story  AH THE SAHIBS - it happens in tea --a good read to view please Click Here

November 26 2012
We have a new contributor Peter C Byrne who worked in the Dooars in the 40' and 50's to read all about him and his interesting life please
Click Here


November 26 2012
Two books by Janet McCleod Trotter   'The Tea Planters Daughter' and 'The Vanishing of Ruth' to read about please Click Here

November 24 2012
A great story "Welcome to Tea' to read please Click Here

November 23 2012
If you travelled the world all you have to do is ask for Te(a) or Cha! 
to read please Click here

November 23 2012
The first Fifty words used in English originating from India to read please Click here

November 6 2012
The origin of the term 'Sikkens' was asked  and to read the answers  please Click Here

ANovember 23 2012
More special words used in Tea --what did it mean ? and how did it originate ?--all good fun to revive old memories, to see latest please Click Here

November 23 2012
The announcement of the Annual Meeting of the Bangladesh Club and election of Office bearers notice to read please Click Here

November 22 2012
More on the argument as to the origins of Kive Kivees to read please Click Here

November 21 2012
To view critique of two books "Plain Tales from the Raj"  and India Britannica showing "Workshop of the East" 
Click Here


November 20 2012
  Roy although suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis has penned these memories for us to enjoy-we wish him well and hopes he  makes a speedy recovery to read please Click Here


November 16 2012
  Thanks to the effort of Ajit Saikia we now have some of the history of Goriajan Club also helped by Pratyush Sarma and Rick Lahkar to read please Click Here


November 16 2012
Two more memories of the Sino-Indian war of 1962 thanks to Robin Borthakur to read mplease Click Here

November 10 2012
Thanks to Pullock Dutta Special Correspondent of the Telegraph of India for this article on a programme due to be shown about the story of Albert Masters of Jorhat, a member of the Assam Valley Light Horse who went missing: to see the link please Click Here

November 8 2012
A Toast to Tea from the Readers Digest of a long time ago to read please Click Here


October 31 2012
A new page covering information about Tea in this case about the Paris show "Digs into Brews Roots" plus comments about China and Indian Tea with comparisons to read please Click Here


October 29 2012
Twenty long years to get the bridge up, three months from completion of construction to inauguration, and TWO opening ceremonies in one day
To read please Click here


October 27 2012

Another memory of the Sino-Indian war of 50 years ago has been added to read please Click Here

October  25 2012
Do you have any memories of the Goriajan Club in the Golaghat District of Assam. Please go to the page as through the web site we would like to share the history and memories to read please Click Here

October 25 2012
  
To read another critique of the Broken Tea cup story please Click Here 

 October 24 2012 
To obtain the details of a book "1971 as seen by a Planters wife" by Riahana A Hasan please go to BOOKS page

October 23 2012
Thanks to Roy Church we have a definitive description of transport in Assam in the '40's and 50's to read please    Click Here

October 22 2012
Sadly we have to report the passing of Frank Doyle ex Jokai Company to read please Click Here

October 20 2012
Thanks to Alan Lane we have the story from INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ  telling of the import in 1833 of Boston Ice to read please Click Here

 

October 20 2012
To find evidence of the Assam Government's decision on the State Drink please Click Here

October 19 2012
Thanks to Gowri Mohanakrishnan we have a story of her challenging dialog with the mail service to read please Click Here


October 18 2012
To see the report, photos and attendees list of the Junior Koi Hai lunch  on 13 October please Click Here

October 17 2012
Sadly we report the passing of Bobbie Ducat in her 97th year to read please Click Here


October 12 2012
Sadly we have to report the passing of Neil Coombes to read please Click Here 


 October 10 2012
Thanks to Phil  Bayley who kindly shares his memories-- this time of the 1962 Evacuation but backed up by airmail copy letters kept by Jennifer to read please Click Here 


October 8 2012
Diana Owen is looking for help in locating the children of Gerry Eastmure and similarly  Matuil Nowshad is looking to contact the children of B A West ex Deundi TE to read please click here

October 6 2012
Butch Datta sadly tells us of the loss of is wife Nandini to read please click here

October 6 2012
Clive Roberson's Newsletter for October is here, to read please click Here

September 28 2012
Sadly we report the passing of Mark Steevens who was compiling the history of the Anglo Burmese people to read please Click Here

September 26 2012
Jennifer Bayley has shared with us her notes of the order for lunch for a cricket match at Tingri fifty years ago to read please Click Here


September 23 2012
The Editor has read and recommends the story of The Secret Children by Alison McQueen about a planter and his love for a local lady to read please Click Here

 

September 20 2012
Maharaja's Express This is a brand new Indian Panorama Tour by train starting in October 2012  The ultimate in luxury to view please. Click Here


September 19 2012
The Editor is pleased to announce that we have a new Chairman/Organiser of the Eastbourne Reunion Lunch to read please Click Here


September 17 2012
Duncan Allan tells us of being commisioned into 1st Gurkha Rifles and his experiences in his "Last days of  the Raj story to read please
Click Here



September 17 2012 
Speedy Rautela has written an appreciation of his second Burra Sahib Peter Castle, which adds humour to Peter 's sad passing to read please Click Here


September 5 2012 
We are indebted to Duncan Allan who has produced part of "Recollections of a Tea Planter" written by W M Fraser in an effort to pay tribute to the pioneers of Dooars Tea planting to read please
Click Here

September 5 2012
Jane McCabe, a descendant of a Dr Graham's Homes emigrant to New Zealand in the 1920s, is undertaking research on the OGBs who emigrated in groups from Dr Graham's Homes to New Zealand to read please click here

 

September 4 2012
DACRE MOGG
It is with great sadness that we have to report the sad passing of Dacre Mogg on Saturday September 1st--To Janet and his family we send our sincere condolences--to read details and an appreciation by his son Stephen please
Click Here


September 4 2012
Rosemary Kemp the daughter of the late John and Pat Soward has shared with us some old photos when clearing up her parents effects to view please Click Here


September 4 2012
Roy Church has written a warm appreciation of the late Peter Castle, his first Burra Sahib to view please Click Here

 September 4 2012
Thanks to Ali Zaman we now have  the beginnings of the art of Tea Tasting by computer to read please click here 


August 31 2012
Uddhab Bharali an Engineer from Assam has been shortlisted for a NASA award to read please Click Here 


August 30 2012
PETER CASTLE
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Peter Castle on August 17 2012, to read the statement by his son Rupert please
Click Here

August 29 2012
Thanks to Nasim Anwar we have an insight into the time when Tea garden employees were paid with tokens to read please Click Here

 August 29 2012
We are happy to add Nasim Anwar's details to the e-mail Directory --welcome Nasim & Bonnie to read please Click Here

 August 28 2012
  QUITE A COINCIDENCE

For a number of years Minoo Avari has been sharing old photographs with the Editor of the Koi Hai web site (They can be seen on Minoo's page on CORRESPONDENTS) -Minoo recently sent an old photo of tea pluckers from Darjeeling.

The Potted history of the Stolke & Wernicke Family is shown on the Darjeeling page-The Editor enquired of James Sinclair whose family originated from the Stolke family and the Editor was told by James that yes, the photo shows his father with the pluckers-a great coincidence to go to the page please Click Here


August 28 2012
Buddy MacDougall wrote of her memories of Tea in a book "Two leaves and a Bud" which was published in 2010. Buddy has very kindly allowed us to show it here on this web site. Thank you Buddy. To read please Click Here


August 27 2012 
   Bill Henderson recently visited UK from his home in Australia and met up with some old friends and took some photos which he hopes  will bring back memories to some of the readers of Koi Hai. To view please Click Here

August 25 2012 
Spectrum Publications are working on reprints of Assam Valley
 by R.C.Muirhead Thomson and also Assam Planter by A.R.Ramsden
if anyone can help with any bio data or photos it would be appreciated to read please Click Here--.


August 25 2012 
We have amusing memories from Phil Bayley of his Acting Manager's time at Phillobari in 1962 to read please Click Here

August 20 2012
Sadly we have to report the sad passing of David Eyton-Jones to read please Click Here for Funeral arrangements please go to page


August 20 2012 
We are pleased to introduce you to the latest offering from Tea-- Lekha Mathur, widow of Suresh Mathur a Duncan's planter has recently written a book  titled "A Burra Memsahibs Tea Trolley', to read about it please .
Click Here




August 17 2012
Dick Scott writes about a rogue elephant that terrorised villagers near Daisajan TE, raiding paddy fields and killing a villager. To read please click here

August 17 2012

The award winning Real Tea Cafe in Stratford-upon-Avon aims to revive the great British tradition of tea drinking with advice on buying 'proper' tea to making a real cup of tea. To read more please click here

August 17 2012

The story of a weekend trip up the river with only self help avaiable to read please    Click Here

 

August 15 2012
Tina Eyton-Jones has shared with us her trip to celebrate her 60th birthday at the bungalow where she was born at Koliabor in Assam  to read please Click Here



August 7 2012
 
We are privileged to have the autobiography of a very successful Tea

Man,  Saroj K Mehera,  starting in the early 1950's and retiring as Boss

of Tata Tea to read please Click Here

August 7 2012
 
Thanks to Venk Shenoi we have a collection of old photos from

mainly mission schools in Kozhikod - Calicut from the early

20th century, some from the 1800s-- The dress/hairstyles, etc,


you don't see any more, the language is Malayalam to view

please click here


August 7 2012
Dick Scott gives us a great reminisce of his friend John Vauqulin to read please Click Here


Aug 6 2012

Aline Dobbie writes "Quicklook at India" is now published since

1st August as a conventional book as well. The conventional

trilogy are now morphing into e-books. to read please click Here

 Aug 2 2012
Sadly we have to report the passing of Pat Soward to read please
Click Here

July 31 2012
We have thanks to Mrs Joan Scott and James Sinclair, two stories of Darjeeling,  "Darjeeling Planting Then and Now"  plus

a "Potted history of the Stolke/Wernicke family" to read please Click Here


July 29 2012
Sadly we report the passing of Grace Weller to read please Click Here


July 27 2012

We are grateful to Kailash Chaurasia for passing on the very modern story of Jim Corbett's home and the way it is being preserved today to read please Click Here


July 26 2012

Rana Dasgupta tells us that his father, Pakhi Dasgupta of the Jorehaut Tea Co. Ltd.passed away to read please Click Here

July 21 2012
Thanks to Jimmie Bain we have a story "How to choose a General to read please Click Here


July 21 2012

Thanks to Georgette Ham we have a photo of the Jorehaute Company Management circa 1950 to view please Click Here


July 18 2012
A photograph plus comments of the work of the Delhi Planters Welfare Association to read please Click Here


July 15 2012

We are pleased to introduce a new Club onto Koi Hai from Chandigarh to read about it please Click Here

July 8 2012
The Tea Board Chairman is pushing to have Tea from the Nilgiris as the Tea for the Olympics to read please Click Here


July 7 2012
Ali Zaman has kindly told us of his recent visit to Cachar and the
changes which are happening to read Click Here

 

July 4 2012
Ann Leslie relates her visit to the Ooty Club in South India and it's approach  and attitudes of today;  
to read please Click Here


July 4 2012
Roy Church on his return from India worked at Sausthorpe Hall Estate for 18months prior to his joining the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester to read Rural Estate Management in autumn 1968  to read his reminisces please click here.


July 3 2012
The Editor recently obtained an old book and wishes to recommend the small but efficient company Pagoda Trees Press who found what I was seeking to see about them please Click Here


July 2 2012
Assam girl to carry Olympic Torch to read Please Click Here


July 2 2012
Sadly we have to report the passing of R N (Ruby)  Deogun formerly of Finlays and Tata Tea to read details please Click here


July 1 2012

A photo of all the James Finlay Managers attending Tocklai in 1950
our thanks to  Saroj Mehera, to view please
click here

July 1 2012
A recent publication, "The Naga Queen" author Vicky Thomas, which tells of the remarkable life of Ursula Graham Bower among the Zemi Nagas of North Cachar, Assam. Derek has given us a fine description of the time to read please Click Here

 June 20 2012
Roy Church tells us of Lincolnshire Fen character to read please
Click Here


June 20 2012
It can never be said that a tea planters life is dull--to read the proof please read a reminisce by Dick Scott to view please
Click Here

 

June 19 2012
Holly Scallon's funeral was yesterday June 18 and we are privileged to be able to show the Eulogy read by his grandsons to read please Click Here


 June 19 2012
A wonderful reminisce about a very clever  Myna Bird by Roy Church--to read please Click Here


June 19 2012

A sad story of the burning down of the Upper Assam's Commisioner Office and residence which previously was the headquarters of the Jorehaute Company to read please Click Here


  June 17 2012

Saroj Mehera  recently visited Powai and Kakajan in Assam and enjoyed meeting up with old friends and colleagues. We have a page dedicated to the story of his trip plus his background in Tea This should be of considerable interest to old chaiwallahs and friends to read please
Click Here



jUNE 17 2012

.Once again Roy Church entertains us with his recollections of his youth, to read please   Click Here


 June 16 2012
 Thanks to Dick Scott we have an elephant hunt with a difference
to read please Click Here


June 10 2012
An interesting story about Polo and the Silchar Club to read please
Click Here

 

June 8 2012
An interesting article from the Business India --the Magazine of the Corporate World highlighting the progress and success of McLeod Russell/Williamson Magor to read please Click Here


May 31 2012
 

Sadly we have to report the passing of Holly Scallon to read please
Click Here

 

May 31 2012
Phil Bayley tells us of his Acting in 1961/62 to read please Click Here


May 30 2012
An interesting story about Bhutan taken from the Smithsonian to read please Click Here



May 30 2012
Gowri has given us a story of the " Great Caucasian Cuppa" to read please Click Here



May 29 2012
Sadly we have to report the passing of Bill Charlier to read please
Click Here



May 19 2012 

Davey Lamont has given his memories of his wonderful time in India to read please Click Here


May 18 2012
We are grateful to Gogi Bajaj who kindly forwarded this story of the 1905 Polo Cup- and the American Singer --to read please Click Here


May 17 2012
Dilip Kumar Chanda an Oil Company man, tells us of his memories of the Chinese Invasion -- to read please Click Here

 

May 16 2012
Phil and Jennifer Bayley found some nostalgia hoarded away and now share it with us to view please Click Here



May 15 2012
Shamol Ghosal keeps us up to date with the commercial world of Tea--here he gives us information about a visit of 24 Argentinians to Darjeeling and the expected business opportunities to result from the visit - to read please Click Here



May 15 2012
An enjoyable story describing tea tasting by Pransu to read please Click Here



May 15 2012
A cutting from the London Daily Telegraph of 70 years ago thanks to Aline Dobbie --to read please Click Here


 May 14 2012

The Koi-Hai web site has been removed from

Facebook and we can now return to normality

and the Koi Hai web site will restart tomorrow--

no blame attached to anyone


 

May 11 2012
The Convener's Report and the photographs of the attendees of the Eastbourne lunch can now be viewed--unfortunately some names are missing to view please   Click Here



May 11 2012
Dick Scott tells us about the members of the British Army's abiity to grumble to read please Click Here


May 10 2012

Thanks to Robin Humphries we have a fine presentation of the Duke of York's visit to Kohima to view please Click here

May 8 2012

  Austerity during WW 2 was a must and Roy has defined it as a great tribute to the resourcefulness of people during World War 2 and especially his Mum to read please Click Here




 May 5 2012

Thanks to Minoo Avari we have a great postcard photo of Darjeeling in 1904 to view please Click Here


May 5 2012
Sadly we report the passing of David Little to read please Click Here

May3 2012

Sadly we report the passing of Margaret Mortimer to read please
Click here

May 1 2012
Ranjit Barooah is asking for help in tracing any details/documents/pictures of the Purdey family.
To read please Click Here


April 30 2012
Dr Doke tells us of more findings of 3 more crashed WW-11 aircraft in Arunchal Pradesh (previously NEFA) to read please Click Here


April 29 2012
Minoe Avari has kindly supplied another picture of yesteryear this time early Forties and Hathaways of Darjeeling, plus a photo of the Kings Birthday parade in 1937
to view please Click Here


April 29 2012

Dick Scott brings us up to date on the subject of Brains plus an article "To Have Found Which Was Lost" to read please Click Here


April 28 2012
 
Bill Henderson tells us that he has just returned from a visit to Ballarat which  in the mid-19th century was the centre of the Australian gold rush with a large botanical garden where an annual Begonia festival is still held To view please Click Here


April 28 2012
The Panitola Polo Cup of 1905 appears in South Florida to read please Click Here


April 28 2012
Further amusing reminisce of Fay Gibb thanks to Alan Lane and Roy Church to view please Click Here


April 23 2012

Characters of Tea's Yesteryear - Fay Gibb,  once again Roy Church tells us of some of the Characters of Tea of the past to read please Click Here

April 22 2012

Charles Pitt from Florida, USA has been in touch offering to donate a polo cup which reads 'Dibrugarh Races 1905 First Team Polo Tournament'  Can anyone help Identify the names on this cup? to read please Click Here


April 22 2012

A great story of the First Indian Pilot to read please Click Here



April 21 2012

 
We showed an excerpt from Gordon Brown's book "Wartime Courage" it has been pointed out to us that the photo shown is not one of Major Seagrim to see please Click Here

April 21 2012

Terry Morris has sent an article from the Arunchal Pradesh paper about the change in attitude today to the border dispute to read please Click Here


April 15 2012

Burma to help find buried Spitfires to read please Click Here


April 14 2012

An inaugural Junior Assam Reunion lunch is planned for October to read
please Click Here



April 9 2012
Shamol Ghosal kindly sent us an update of Tea Company Stock Prices to view please Click Here


April 7 2012
Good news from the London Times about the large increase of Tea consumption in China to read Please Click Here



April 5 2012

To read Clive Roberson's April Newsletter Please Click Here




 April 4 2012

 

The Editor requests that Rampal Joshi looks at the E-Mail Directory and kindly gets in touch with the Editor     Editorkoihai@aol.com


April 4 2012

Ajit Saikia tells us that Jiten Mathur Manager of Numaligarh Tea Estate and later of Contemporary Tea Ltd passed away, to read please
Click Here



April 3 2012
More memories from Roy Church  to view please Click Here


April 3 2012
Thanks to Dave Lamont we have a collection of photos from the Album of Dennis Sharp of characters from the sixties to view please Click Here



March 31 2012
 Can anyone remember the late Tony Edwards,  his daughter Julie is trying to find a friend who knew him. He was in Assam and W. Bengal in the early sixties to read please Click Here


March 30 2012

We are privileged to have a peek into James and Betty Benson's Photograph Album to view please Click here

March 29 2012
Phil Bayley has again come up with more amusing reminisces to read
please Click Here

March 25 2012
Here we have a Photo taken early morning with frost still on the ground and the sun just beginning to play on the snowrangeof the Himalayas to view
Please Click Here


March 25 2012

'Coffee is the sexy girlfriend, tea your long-time companion' to view
please Click here 


March 25 2012
Once again Roy Church amuses us with his memories of life as a Mistry
Sahib defined under the Heading Monday-- to view 
 Click Here

March 25 2012
We have another interesting reminisce from Pransu to view please
Click Here

March 24 2012

Once again Roy Church has his storytelling skills at work this time --
a Load of Bull--to view please 
 Click Here


March 22 2012
A wonderful collection of Tea Cups from Yesteryear are shown and hopefully readers with some similar and beautiful crockery will allow us to show theirs for all to enjoy,  to go there please Click Here

March 19 2012

 Dick Scott has given us a short reminiscence  of Puncture Hogaya a character from the Digboi area--those with a memory of translation will understand  what ?
To read please Click Here

March 19 2012
Two new 2012 vintage books about the Burma evacuation and the part played by the Nagas to read please Click Here

March 18 2012
Thanks to Shamol Ghosal we have a fine, laid back, reminisce of Goa in Bygone Days, written by Armand Rodrigues to read please Click Here


March 17 2012
Minoo Avari has kindly supplied us with another collection of photographs, this time, recording Queen Elizabeth 11's visit to India in 1961  To view please Click Here

March 16 2012
Does anyone know the whereabouts of Charles and Jill Elliott--to read Please
Click Here


March 15 2012

Another amusing military story from Roy Church --Brush _General--to read please Click Here


March 15 2012
Vivien Griffiths and her husband made a trip to Assam where she lived at one time as a child, her descriptions of her return are excellent and well worth a read   To View please Click Here

March 15 2012?
Minoo Avari has kindly supplied us with a collection of 19th Century pictures involving the British Raj  To view please Click Here


March 13 2012
We are pleased to have the first reminescences from Dick Scott who spent from 1961 to 1974 in Assam to read please Click Here

March 11 2012
Locker room notice at Doom Dooma Golf Course to read please Click Here


March 11 2012

  Thanks to Dr Doke for the article--3 more WW-II plane wreckages found in Arunchal Pradesh to read please Click Here


March 11 2012

Update on Dr Graham’s Homes from Ken Hammond to read Click Here

March 8 2012
Thanks to Ajay Mehra we have more golf stories -- to read please Click Here


March 4 2012
A new page has been created for golf and memories of it in Assam  
The first two stories are there to read please Click Here


March 4 2012

We are indebted to Julie Warren for agreat  description and  record of the work the Commandos did in Cachar in 1944 to read please Click here


March 4 2012 

Thanks to Terry Morris we have a book  Tea, Love and War, compiled from letters Stuart Poyser sent to his family. David Mitchell was the nephew of Stuart Poyser who formulated the book from a series of correspondence between the family to read please Click Here


March 1 2012
Ali Zaman has come up with some positive facts about the game of golf to read please  Click Here

March 1 2012
 
Pransu Raj Kaushik has come up with another amusing story -- The Case of the Missing "Dinner" to read please Click Here

February 28 2012
Roy Church has  amusing tales of three troublesome recruits from his army days to read please    CLICKHERE

February 24 2012

An amusing tongue in cheek letter to the Secretary of State to read please
Click Here


February 21 2012

A wonderful collection of Tea Cups and Saucers from Yesteryear to view please Click Here


February 21 2012
 
The ITA in 1942 strongly contributed to the building of the Manipur Road, 161 miles long, plus the setting up and manning the Refugee Camps to cope with  200,000 Refugees from Burma. This effort by Julian Pilcher, son of Col Humphrey Pilcher, will go a long way in helping people recognize what was done and by whom to read please Click here


February 14 2012

Three books are being published in March which deal, among other things,
with children being sent home very young from tea plantations to be
educated in the UK. to view please Click Here



February 9 2012

We are pleased to show an article "My Ancestral and Historical Roots with India' by Derek Perry to visit the page please Click Here

February 5 2012

Sadly we have to report the passing of  T.V. Alexander to read please Click Here

February 2 2012

The Barraclough family who lived as children in the Dooars and Assam
revisited and had a wonderful experience seeing their old gardens in
Assam and Kolkata
 to view please Click Here


February 2 2012

An interesting story of Norman Jackson who started in Tea in 1934 and retired in 1966 to read please Click Here


February 1 2012

We have an interesting video on Shillong to view please Click Here


January 31 2012

Phil Bayley has created another amusing story from his memory to read please Click Here

January 27 2012 

Shona Patel is  the daughter of a tea planter. Who  was born and raised in a tea garden in Assam, and has a Blog which is well worth reading please go to LINKS by clicking here


January 27 2012

We are pleased to show a story titled "An Assamese Rail Journey" by Bob Muir to read please Click Here


January 25 2012

We are privileged to have the story of a lady, Joan Scott, her mother and grandmother travelling  to Liverpool from Bombay in 1945, 3,000 troops and 600 civilians, to read please Click Here


January 24 2012

A Humble Salute to the Grand Koi Hais of Yore! By Pransu Raj Kaushik
 to read please Click here

January 21 2012 

Manzurul Haque tells us of the sad passing of  M A Rahman to read please Click Here


January 20 2012

 Thanks to Roy Church we have some reminiscencess around his exit from his tea planting life in Assam which did not go strictly according to plan to read Please Click here


January 19 2012

We have a fine collection of photographs in excellent condition, from the 1920's showing life in Assam then---- to view please Click Here


January 19 2012
 
A great description of the  arrival of the 'movie' shows on a Tea Garden  in Upper Assam -to read please Click Here


January 17 2012

We are privileged to have  Ken Joyce's writings regarding his visits to Burma in 2008 and 2011  They make great reading and I'm sure many others will enjoy Ken's storytelling gift and the added touch of humour ---to go there
please Click Here


January 17 2012

Viv Griffiths who is the step daughter of Bill Doran of the Jorehaute Company in the 50's/60's is asking for advice about an impending visit to her childhood haunts to read please click here


January 15 2012
Thanks to Alan Lane we have a video of life in Shillong to view please Click Here

January 14 2012

  The new British Government funded local Enterprise Partnerships are
intended to be led by business, for business,.and our man Denys Shortt
is at the forefront to read please Click here

January 14 2012
We are pleased to welcome an old Assam Oil man Bob Muir to the E-mail directory to read please Click here


January 14 2012
 
The Bengal Bike Ride starts in Kolkata on 19th February, travelling some  670 km to the Kalimpong Homes to raise money for the Homes to read please
Click Here


 January 12 2012
An amusing motor cycle story to read Jim's Good Deed please Click Here


January 12 2012
Language Difficuties with a black eye--to read please Click Here

January 12 2012
Another great story by Roy Church who tells us of his memories of Joe Lys to read please   Click Here


January 11 2012

Ted Humphreys ex Digboi has surfaced from Australia to read please click here

 January 10 2012
 
Ted Humphreys ex Assam Oil Co. tells us that Ronald Montgomery and Eve Ball have passed away to read please Click Here

 January 9 2012

Sadly we have to report the passing of Richard Highmore to read please
Click Here

 January 5 2012
Dacre Mogg the Convenor of the Eastbourne Reunion lunch has the 2012 invitation ready and posted on this site-- to view please Click Here


January 2 2012?
To see the photograph of all the Managers of Jorehaut Tea Company, circa 1960 please Click Here

January 2 2012
Sadly we have to advise of the passing of Jimmy Mortimer --to read please
click here

January 1 2012
Amlan Dutta is looking for old friends and colleagues to read please Click Here

December 23 2011

An interesting bit of history about the beginning of the 20th Century--Bizarre Tea tales by Ali Zaman --to read please Click Here


 December 21 2011
Thanks to Shamol Ghosal  we found a very interesting site created by Saif Shahid who claims to be just an ordinery ex-planter who still reminisces about his plantation days -- to go to the page with the link to Saif's page Click Here

December 21 2011
Hippies at Itakhoolie a story by the late Peter Swer told by Danny Pariat to see please Click Here

December 17 2011
The Planters club of Dhaka are planning a New Years Eve party to read please Click Here


December 13 2011
We now have the  1838 Account of the Manufacture of Black Tea as practiced at Suddeya in Upper Assam by C A Bruce who was the Father of Tea in Assam to read please Click Here


December 11 2011
Thanks to Derek Perry and Larry Brown we have created a page marked BEGINNINGS to show the history of Tea--the first story is there to read
please   Click Here

December 10 2011
Thanks to Martin Holl we have a story of the last European planter in Darjeeling Teddy Young to read please Click Here

December 4th 2011 
The London Curry Lunch - A Huge Success!

This annual event was held on 26th. October at St Columba's Church of Scotland, Pont Street, London SW1. to read more please Click Here.


December 4 2011
Phil Bayley has added to his page with another amusing reminisce Tingri in the 50's to read please Click Here


December 3 2011
  Thanks to Derek Perry and Larry Brown, we have an interview with Jim and Nora Hall  Jim was from English stock and Nora from Scottish. Their recollections of India and elsewhere of nearly a century ago are quite fascinating-to read--- please Click Here

 

December 3 2011
This is the first story which fits the 'Life after Tea' criteria to read please Click Here


December 3 2011
Danny Pariat has added some more reminisces to his --"Life in these Tea Estates" to read please Click Here

November 29 2011
Helen Fraquet has created a memorial page for her friend the late Patricia Ann Wilson, daughter of Frank Wilson to read please Click here


 November26 2011
Denise Sloan has sent us her complimentary thoughts on her recent visit to India 
to read please
Click Here

 

November 25 2011
A great story about Somjeswar Sarma--a very special Planter who had E J Nichols, as his  Assistant Manager to read please Click Here



November 25 2011
 A page headed Anglo Indian Fraternity has been created and the first story is there, it is given by Bev Pearson in Sydney Australia to read please Click Here


November 24 2011

Thanks to Alan Lane we have an interesting comment from The Asian Age about the   Burra Peg: Raj hangover in Indian Drinking Habits   to read please
Click Here


November 23 2011
The Editor made a mistake in mis-numbering the Home Address of Morris Thomson, Treasurer of UK Committee, for Dr Grahams Homes. This has been corrected. The appeal was for donations to help reconstruction after the recent terrible earthquake--To read please Click Here


November 22 2011
Sadly we report that T V Verghese ("Verghy")  passed away on 22 November 2011, to his wife Molly and Children Liz and George we send our condolences
 to read please Click Here


November 22 2011

We are indebted to Martin Holl for introducing us to the video of 
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, nicknamed "Toy Train",    was built in 1881.  to view please
Click Here


November 19 2011
Danny Pariat has started a collection of  memories/anecdotes--"Life in these Tea Estates" to read please Click Here

November 19 2011
Another gem from Phil Bayley--his first year in tea to see please Click Here



November 16 2011
We are pleased to show the congratulations from the business community that our sponsor Denys Shortt, son of the late Peter Shortt has received. to read it all please Click Here


November 16 2011
We are pleased to show the office bearers of the Planters Club Ltd of Bangladesh to view please Click Here


 November 14 2011
The Editor is delighted to welcome Roy Church as a contributor  with some very interesting stories to read please Click Here

November 9 2011
Phil Bayley's tales are back to read please Click Here

November 7 2011
 Is anyone familiar with Alfred Eustace D'Silva or his son Alfred "Alfie" D'Silva to read request please Click here


  November 7 2011
Bill Henderson has been told by Priyanga Tennege 'Unit Manager, Tea & Coffee Division, Seychelles Trading Corporation'. that a Museum is being created for the Tea industry and Bill will be honoured as the founder of Tea in the Seychelles to read please Click Here

November 7 2011
Sadly we have to report the passing of Olive Anderson on
30th October--to read Please Click Here




November 5 2011
Thanks to Shamol Ghosal we have an article by Shekhar
Kapoor telling us of  a small sign "Cellphoon reapars"
barely visible through the street vendors crowding the
Juhu market in Mumbai-a wonderful story proving
"How India works" to read please Click here


November 5 2011
Roy Church has collected  a number of memories of experiences
people had on 21 st November 1962 to read please Click Here


November 5 2011
Jill Dawkins has provided a great description of her very recent visit
to Assam & Ko
lkata--to read please Click Here

 
November 2 2011
A few days ago, Gowri and her husband Mohan  travelled to look at the
condition of the Darjeeling railway line at Tindharia. to see please click here  

November 2  2011
Some old photos recovered from an old Shoe Box to look please click here 

October 30 2011
Ajay Mehra has again come up with an amusing piece of Nostalgia to read please click here




October 30 2011
It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing of Jimmy Foster on October 19th to read please click here



October 25 2011
Denise Sloan is travelling to Kolkata and has made an offer to anyone who would like her to buy on their behalf 
  embroidered or smocked dresses in the "Good Companions" in Russell Street the dresses to read please click here



October 22 2011
Valerie Sinclair was fascinated to find the book "Forgotten Frontier" which she purchased from a New York store with a note inside from "The Fairfields of Assam" to read please click here



.

 



.
.


 


.

 

.

.
.

.

.

.

Niswarth has exciting news about the great progress and recognition Niswarth is receiving for all it's good work--thanks to Gowri Mohanakrishnan for sending all the information to read please click here


 

August 2 2011

Thanks to the help from Jimmie Bain we now have a page devoted to the James Finlay Company to read please Click Here


August 1 2011
Thanks to Manzurul Haque we have an amusing story of a letter written 100 years ago to the Railway management to read please
click here

 

July 30 2011

Thanks to Danny Pariat and his daughter Janet we have a story about the WW11 Jeep to read please click Here


 



 jULY 29 2011

A collection of photographs taken by John Clark during the building of the Manipur Road to Kohima in 1941/1942. We are gratedfull to John Clark's daughter Fiona Scott for sharing them with us to read please Click here

  July 29 2011
A Book of a bygone age --a Soldiers Story by John A Hislop to read please Click here

 July 21 2011

Thanks to Fiona Scott daughter of John Clark, we have the story told by John of his initial employment in Glasgow and his journey to Assam in 1926 to read please Click Here

 July 22 2011
A story from the Wall St Journal  One glass and seven layers of tea to read please Click Here

 July14 2011

Sadly we are told of the passing of Les Doran an ex Assam planter who died in Malawi to read please Click Here

July 12

Thanks to Willie Wood and Alan Lane we have an interesting story of Megalaya to read please Click Here

July 5 2011

 .Sadly we have to advise of the passing of Chutky Barooah (wife of Hemen Barooah) to read please Click Here

 July 29 2011

  Fettes Falconer was born after the Second World War but learned many stories of his family, one side of whch was tea planting in Assam.
He recently visited Assam and Darjeeling and has written a very good account of what he found in the countryside and the people. He is
very complimentary about all the good people he met in Assam and in particular his travel Agent who went above and beyond their normal responsibilities in order to make sure he had a great trip
There is more to come but the Editor deemed that I should open it up for others to enjoy  to rtead please  CLICK HERE

 

 July 29 2011
Here is an interesting story about Naga land in the 1890's
by a very strong lady to read please
CLICK HERE

My Three Years in Manipur  by Ethel St. Clair G (1891)


 



June 27 2011


Another sad report  telling of JOHN KENT'S death on the Island of Islay
to read please CLICK HERE

June 27 2011
Sadly we have to report the passing of MICHAEL ROME to read please CLICK HERE

June 14 2011
Thanks to Jimmie Bain we have a very amusing tale of an
African Black Rhino to read please Click Here

 June 14 2011
Our old friend Bijoy Bhuyan has passed away to read please Click Here

 

June 14 2011
Rajender Singh known to friends as Jindi is trying to find
his old friend Anil Pandit -to read click here

 

 

June 14

The update of the Afghan Charity run by Terry O'Malley
is linked --to read please click here

iJune 13 2011


Sadly we have to report the passing of John Darby to read please click here

 ***********************************************************************

 

 

 June 7 2011
Sadly we have to report the passing of Jim Glendinning to read please Click Here

 

May 30 2011
Sadly we have to report the passing of John Grimmer to read please Click Here


May 28 2011

Thanks to Alan Lane you may like to look at the link as there are some films there of tea in Sri Lanka (Ceylon).to see please
click here


May 28 2011 

Please read an interesting colection from Ali Zaman of the peculiarities of Tea--Click Here

May 28 2011

 A Job opportunity for a young Planter to read Click Here

May 23 2011
A very amusing memory from Ajay Mehra to read please click here


May 14 2011
Sadly we have to report the passing of Stan Melling to read please click here


May 11 2011
Sadly we have to report the death of Helen Bruce wife of the late Alastair Bruce to read please click here


May 11 2011
A Koi Hai Reunion has been planned for August 10 2011 in Stratford upon Avon to read all about it please Click here

May 9 2011
Jimmie Bain has sent a report telling us the attenders at the James Finlay Retirees lunch last Friday to read please Click Here


May 7 2011
Larry Brown has sent us some spectatular pics of TARA T E and the area around it, to read please click here





May 3 2011
Manbir Grewal is looking for old friends to see his request Click here


April 26 2011
The Eastbourne reunion Lunch was a great success and you can see the Convener's report plus some photos with more photos to appear later  To View Click here

 

 

.
.
..





.
.


.



..



.
.


.


...

.

.

 .

 

.


.

.

 

.

 

.


 

.
 .

 

 October 31 2010
Thanks to Gowri The Tradition of Lakhi Puja is explained together with some very good photos to see please click here



October 30 2010
Clive Roberson's Autumn message can be read by clicking here

 

October 30 2010
Carron Bungalow gets its name from river Carron which flows through
the Tea Garden--Thanks to Priti Parmar we get the full story and her first class paintings  to read please click here

 

October 28 2010
An interesting piece of history with Conan Doyle and Sylhet
to read please click
 
 

 October 26 2010
We are pleased to show the latest story from Duncan Allan named Halcyon Days in Tea--to read please click here



October 25 2010

 Here is the link to the Assam Tea Tourism Festival :
The All Assam Tourism Festival at Jorhat from November 26 to 28, 2010.


http://www.teafestivalassam.com/organizers.html

 

October 25 2010
Bhaiti Bhuyan
who is the working president of the MANIRAM MEMORIAL TRUST with Aroon Chandre Baruah the great, great garndson of Maniram Dewan kindly forwarded it to the Editor the article in the Telegraph of October 19 2010 to read please click here

 October 25 2010

Here is a very interesting and informative lecture by Robin Humphries on the subject of irrigation and would be of interest to those contemplating using it for crops or just for  their own education  To read please click here

  .
 .

 

.

.

.


.

.

.

 

.

 

.

 

 

.

.

.


.

.


.