Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his day on Wednesday in Assam’s Dibrugarh district with a visit to a tea garden, where he interacted with women workers and highlighted the global significance of Assamese tea. Sharing his experience on social media platform X, the Prime Minister described tea as the “soul of Assam” and said the state’s tea has earned recognition across the world.
Calling the visit a “memorable experience”, PM Modi engaged with workers, many of whom form the backbone of the tea industry, and appreciated their contribution. “We are very proud of the efforts of each and every tea garden family. Their hardwork and perseverance have enhanced Assam’s pride,” he said in another post.
Sharing photos of the visit, PM Modi said, “The plucking of tea leaves was followed by the women talking about their culture and of course a selfie!” The visit comes amid PM Modi’s election campaign tour in Assam, where he is scheduled to address a series of public rallies ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls.
The Prime Minister’s interaction with tea garden workers also reflects his long-standing personal connection with tea. PM Modi has often spoken about his early life, during which he helped his father sell tea at a railway station in Gujarat. This background has remained a key part of his political narrative, symbolising his rise from humble beginnings to the country’s highest office.
Assam, one of the largest tea-producing regions in the world, plays a crucial role in India’s tea exports. The industry employs lakhs of workers, with women forming a significant portion of the workforce in tea gardens across districts, including Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Jorhat.
PM Modi’s visit is being seen as both symbolic and strategic, underlining the importance of the tea community in Assam’s socio-economic and political landscape. His outreach to tea garden workers is likely to resonate with a large voter base connected to the industry.
The Prime Minister is expected to continue his campaign engagements across the state, focusing on development, welfare initiatives and the Centre’s support to Assam’s key sectors, including tea production.