Darjeeling, Jan. 2: Non-resident Indians (NRI) hailing from the hill town have, over the Net, joined the chorus to revive the failing fortunes and dipping exports of the tea industry.

The campaign, christened Petition to Improve Darjeeling Tea Exports, has led to the creation of a thread at darjeelingnews.net, which has been linked to petitions.com, a service provider.

This is the first time that NRIs have come together to mobilise opinion on Darjeeling tea.

Singapore-based Dipankar Subba, one of the prime movers of the campaign, said: “The petition from resident and non-resident Darjeelingites aims at urging the authorities concerned to improve the infrastructure of tea gardens and formulate and execute a marketing plan to revive export figures.”

He said a report published by a Hong Kong-based news agency stated that Indian tea exports fell from 125.7 million kg in 2002 to 87.8 kg in 2003. “That made me start the campaign. After all, around 60 per cent of the people back home depend on the tea industry. We will try to make a difference.”

The campaign, launched a month ago, is gathering momentum. Those who have joined the campaign are forwarding the petition to their friends.

Petitioners said the list would be sent to the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, Darjeeling Planters’ Association, Union minister of agro and rural industries Gautam Sangh Priya and Tea Board secretary Anup Kumar Matilal to apprise them of the “citizens’ concern”.