Kashmir's traditional Wazas have unanimously decided to stop serving Wazwan at weddings and other functions beyond 10 pm, citing prolonged working hours and inadequate rest facilities for chefs and their assistants.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Kashmir Waza Association held at a marriage hall in the Rajouri Kadal area of Srinagar on November 11, 2026. The association has resolved that Waza service providers across Kashmir will collectively follow the 10 pm deadline.

The move addresses concerns over increasingly late-night wedding schedules, which often require Wazas and their teams to work well into the early morning. According to association members, workers frequently report for duty around 10 am and remain engaged until after Fajr prayers, with little opportunity for adequate rest.

Ghulam Nabi Baba, President of the Kashmir Waza Association, said the community had endured such working conditions for a long time. He explained that preparing Wazwan involves several hours of cooking, followed by extended service schedules.

Waza teams are often expected to serve lunch from approximately 1 pm to 6 pm before preparing for dinner service, which can begin late at night. The situation becomes particularly challenging when catering takes place at the bride's residence, where teams may have to wait for the groom and his entourage to arrive before the wedding proceedings and feast can continue.

Baba recalled instances of grooms arriving well after midnight, leaving Wazas and other wedding service providers waiting for hours. In one incident, a groom reportedly arrived around 1:30 am, by which time the Maulvi invited to solemnise the Nikah had already left.

The association has also raised concerns about the basic facilities provided to workers at wedding venues. Members alleged that despite families spending substantial amounts on wedding arrangements, Wazas and their assistants are sometimes given torn or unhygienic bedding and inadequate spaces to rest.

One chef said workers needed a proper place to recover after long hours of preparation and service, particularly when they were expected to resume their duties the following day.

The association maintains that Wazas and their teams play an important role in preserving Kashmir's traditional wedding cuisine and should receive working conditions that respect their contribution. The 10 pm deadline is intended to prevent overnight service schedules and give workers a more defined end to their working day.

The decision also places responsibility on families hosting weddings to organise their celebrations and food service schedules accordingly, ensuring that Wazwan service concludes by the stipulated time.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a new labelling requirement for milk and milk products across the country. From July 1, 2028, all milk products, including composite milk products, will have to carry a standardised blue-and-white droplet logo to make them easier for consumers to identify.

The new logo features a white droplet against a blue square background. It will serve as a common identification mark across milk and milk product packaging, helping consumers recognise these products more easily while shopping.

According to FSSAI officials, the logo aims to help consumers quickly identify products belonging to this category at the point of purchase. It is also expected to improve awareness of the regulatory identity of milk and milk products, make relevant information on product labels easier to recognise and bring greater consistency to labelling practices.

The requirement has been introduced through the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Second Amendment Regulations, 2026, which were published in the Gazette on November 9, 2026. The amendment updates the existing Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, and will come into effect from July 1, 2028.

With this change, milk and milk product manufacturers will need to include the prescribed logo on their packaging within the given timeline. The move is aimed at creating a uniform identification system for dairy products and making product information clearer for consumers across the country.

A souvenir picked up during an overseas holiday is often meant to bring home a little piece of the destination. It could be an exotic plant from a Bangkok nursery, a regional food speciality, a decorative seashell or a handcrafted item made from natural materials. However, what appears to be an ordinary holiday purchase could become a customs issue when the traveller arrives in India.

The issue came into focus after Kolkata Customs intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok on October 24, 2026, and seized 220 live plants weighing approximately 17 kg. The consignment, comprising 150 guava plants, 20 jamun plants and 50 Caladium plants, was reportedly carried in a trolley bag without the mandatory import permit and phytosanitary certificate. Following examination, the Plant Quarantine Authority ordered the consignment to be deported or destroyed in accordance with the applicable regulations.

The incident raises an important question for international travellers: just because an item can be purchased legally in another country, does it mean it can be brought into India?

What Travellers Should Watch Out For

Plants, seeds, saplings, bulbs, cuttings and other plant materials are among the items that can attract scrutiny at Indian airports. Under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, the import of regulated plant materials is subject to prescribed conditions. Depending on the product and its origin, travellers may require an import permit, a phytosanitary certificate and inspection by the competent authority.

Food products also deserve attention. Fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products and other animal-origin materials may be subject to separate import and quarantine requirements. However, not every packaged food product is prohibited, and admissibility depends on the nature, origin and applicable regulations.

Wildlife-derived souvenirs present another concern. Items made from ivory, protected animal parts, certain corals or products derived from endangered species may fall under India's wildlife protection laws and international trade restrictions. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates international trade in listed animal and plant species, including their parts and derivatives. Purchasing such an item from a commercial shop overseas does not automatically make its import legal.

Why This Matters to the Hospitality and Tourism Industry

The issue extends beyond individual travellers. Hotels, resorts, restaurants, travel operators and destination retailers are also connected to the movement of goods across international borders.

Luxury resorts, for instance, may use imported ornamental plants and specialised landscaping materials to create distinctive guest experiences. Restaurants depend on imported speciality ingredients, while hotels increasingly cater to international guests with specific food preferences and requests.

These activities require responsible sourcing and compliance with applicable import regulations. Tour operators and travel companies can also play a role by informing guests about restrictions on souvenirs, food products and natural materials before they return home.

For hospitality businesses, awareness of these requirements is particularly relevant when arranging international deliveries, sourcing imported products or assisting guests with special requests. A seemingly minor oversight in procurement or transportation can have regulatory and operational consequences.

Understanding India's Customs and Import Regulations

India's Customs Baggage Rules, 2026, which came into effect on February 2, 2026, provide the framework for passenger baggage allowances and declarations. Eligible arriving passengers, including Indian residents and tourists of Indian origin, have a general duty-free allowance of up to ₹75,000 when arriving through modes other than land, subject to the prescribed conditions and exclusions. The allowance for foreign tourists is ₹25,000.

However, the duty-free allowance should not be confused with permission to import restricted or prohibited goods. Items such as plants, wildlife products and other regulated materials remain subject to their respective laws, regardless of their purchase value.

Passengers arriving in India can choose between two customs clearance channels. The Green Channel is intended for those without dutiable or prohibited/restricted goods, while the Red Channel is for passengers carrying goods requiring declaration. Travellers carrying dutiable or restricted items must follow the applicable declaration and clearance procedures. Using the Green Channel despite carrying such goods can result in confiscation, penalties or prosecution, depending on the circumstances.

Check Before You Pack

International travellers should verify the admissibility of their purchases before leaving the destination country rather than waiting until they reach an Indian airport. This is particularly important for live plants, seeds, fresh produce, animal-origin products, wildlife-derived souvenirs and other natural materials.

Passengers should retain purchase receipts, product descriptions and relevant certificates or permits wherever applicable. When the status of an item is unclear, checking with Indian Customs or the relevant Plant Quarantine or wildlife authority is a safer approach than assuming that personal use or gift-giving provides an exemption.

The Kolkata seizure is a reminder that international travel comes with responsibilities that extend beyond immigration formalities and baggage allowances. As travel becomes more accessible and travellers increasingly seek distinctive local products and experiences, understanding what can legally cross borders becomes equally important.

A souvenir is meant to preserve a memory of a journey, not create an unexpected problem at the airport. Sometimes, the most responsible travel decision is knowing what to leave behind.