Posts by Neena Bhandari

Over many cups of tea, MJF built an empire that spans 101 countries

0 Comments read Business and Trade
Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge in Sydney: Merrill Joseph Fernando, Chef Peter Kuruvita of Flying Fish restaurant in Sydney, Dilhan C Fernando and Bernd Uber, Black Hat Chef and Culinary Judge. Photo Credit: Supplied

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 03.09.2011 (The Business Times, Singapore): From a microcosm tea business, founder and patriarch Merrill Joseph Fernando has catapulted Dilmah tea to amongst the top eight brands in the world with his catchphrase `Single origin, 100 per cent pure Ceylon tea’, winning loyal consumers in 101 countries.

Come October and Dilmah will be capitalising on its `integrity, freshness and quality’ of tea to lure Singaporeans, aiming to exceed its sales by US$ 1.3 million by December-end and US$ 5 million in the next three to five years, capturing 15 per cent of the top-end tea market in the republic.

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Future of construction is in pre-cast methods

0 Comments read Environment & Development
Photo Credit: ©Quicksmart Homes

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 06.08.2011 (The Business Times, Singapore): Tom Lane has combined his childhood fascination with building blocks and savvy business acumen to establish Quicksmart Homes that designs, manufactures and supplies prefabricated building modules for high-end readily available accommodation.

“It is the big boys Lego kit. The modules, designed in Sydney and manufactured in China, come complete with plumbing and electrical fittings, carpet and furnishings. They are quick to install, cost effective, and 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than a traditional building”, says Lane, who founded the company in 2007 with just an architect as partner.

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For Forgotten Australians, it wasn’t Oranges and Sunshine!

0 Comments read Features, Migration
Laurie Humphreys, Eris Harrison, Maria (not in story) and Caroline Carroll. Photo Credit: Neena Bhandari/IPS

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 19.07.2011 (IPS): Laurie Humphreys was on the first ship after the Second World War that brought 150 British boys and girls, aged five to14 years, to Australia in 1947. At 13, he was promised oranges and sunshine and an adventurous holiday, but the reality was the contrary.

Tens of thousands of children suffered systemic physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect, exploitative work practices and deprivation of food, clothing and proper education while in government institutions, church organisations, orphanages, homes or foster care.

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