'Who Knows Fragrance Of Chai Better Than a Chaiwala': PM Modi Gives Heartfelt Shoutout To Assam Tea Workers

Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Assam was a resounding success, with his heartfelt praise for the state's lush tea gardens leaving a lasting impression on Monday. As he attended the spectacular 'Jhumoir Binandini' event, celebrating the state's 200 years old tea industry, at Guwahati's Sarusajai Stadium, PM Modi explained the intrinsic bond between "chaiwalas" (tea vendors) and the aromatic essence of tea. Drawing from his childhood experiences of selling tea, the Prime Minister's words were met with thunderous applause at the event as he praised the state's tea workers, saying that the fragrance of chai (tea) is an integral part of Assam's identity, and who better to appreciate its nuances than the humble chaiwala (tea seller). He also urged tourists to visit Assam's tea gardens, promoting tourism around the state's iconic tea plantations.

PM Modi's statement, about knowing the fragrance of tea better while showering heartfelt appreciation for the tea workers, was quite personal, as it took back to his childhood days. His personal connection to tea is deeply rooted in his childhood experiences of selling tea at a railway station in Gujarat alongside his father. As the prime minister lauded those related to the trade of tea in Assam, PM Modi put the spotlight on the importance of tea in his life.

At the event, the prime minister noted, "Assam is known for its splendid tea gardens, and Assam Tea has made its way all over the world." "Today in Assam, there is a great atmosphere, filled with light. The preparations of every artist for this are shown everywhere. In this preparation, the smell of tea gardens and their sweet smell is also being felt. People know all too well, the fragrance of chai, who else will know it better than a chaiwala (tea vendor)," PM Narendra Modi asserted.

Notably, Assam's tea industry is renowned globally for its richly coloured and aromatic tea, providing livelihoods to millions. The state produces nearly 700 million kg of tea annually, accounting for around half of India's overall tea production. 

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Celebrating Assam's Rich Cultural Diversity

The Prime Minister attended the 'Jhumoir Binandini' event at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati, where he participated in the celebrations by beating a traditional drum. The event showcased the vibrant tea garden community, featuring over 8,000 Jhumoir artists from across Assam. The Jhumoir dance, an integral part of Assam's tea garden workers and Adivasi community, originated in the early 19th century as a way for workers to express joy and camaraderie after a long day of laborious work in the tea gardens.

Assam's Tea Industry: A 200-Year-Old Legacy

The Assam government is celebrating the state's tea industry, which has turned 200 years old. The industry provides livelihoods to millions and is renowned globally for its richly coloured and aromatic tea. Prime Minister Modi also underlined the union government's move to give Assamese the status of a classical language. "I am the first Prime Minister to stop at Kaziranga in Assam and tell the world about its biodiversity. We have also given classical language status to Assamese a few months ago. The people of Assam were waiting for this honour for their language for decades," he said.

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Global Recognition For Assam's Tea Community

The 'Jhumoir Binandini' event was attended by over 60 ambassadors from various countries, who came to experience Assam's rich cultural heritage. The event was part of a larger celebration, which included the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit. The state government will also provide financial support to the artists and tea gardens to promote the dance form.