Townsend Middleton, an associate professor at UNC Chapel Hill specializing in colonial studies, delves into the legacy of the cinchona plantations in Darjeeling. He discusses the historical journey of the cinchona tree, its significance in the fight against malaria, and the implausible future of local communities amid privatization threats. Through personal narratives, he highlights ongoing resistance, the resurgence of political agitation, and the transformative impacts of colonialism on identities, illuminating the struggle for rights and recognition in a post-colonial landscape.
