A special charity tea auction held at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) has raised more than Rs 2.26 crore for the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The initiative brought together tea producers, buyers and other stakeholders from across the industry to support people affected by floods in the state.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma participated in the auction on October 5 and thanked the tea fraternity for coming together for the welfare initiative. The event was jointly organised by the Tea Association of India and the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre.
Auction Raises Rs 2.26 Crore for Relief
The special auction generated Rs 1.61 crore through the sale of tea. An additional contribution of Rs 65 lakh from former Tea Association of India chairman Hemant Bangur took the overall amount raised to more than Rs 2.26 crore.
The funds will be directed to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and are intended to assist families affected by floods, including those who suffered damage to their homes, crops and livelihoods.
The fundraising initiative brought the commercial strength of Assam’s tea industry into a humanitarian effort, with producers providing tea and buyers participating in the special bidding process.
Himanta Sarma Thanks Tea Industry
Speaking at the event, Sarma thanked tea producers and buyers for participating in the auction. He said the initiative provided an opportunity for members of the industry to come together and contribute towards a larger social cause.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the collective participation of stakeholders associated with the tea auction ecosystem. Their involvement helped turn a traditional commercial activity into a fundraising effort for people facing difficulties because of the floods.
CM Takes Part in Ceremonial Auction
Sarma himself participated in the auction and took up the hammer for 12 ceremonial lots. These lots collectively raised Rs 99.51 lakh.
The participation of the Chief Minister added prominence to the charity auction and brought attention to the tea industry’s role in supporting relief efforts.
The auction featured several varieties of premium tea, including Assam Orthodox, organic, CTC, Matcha and special Darjeeling teas.
Premium Tea Lots Attract High Bids
Some of the special lots received significant bids from tea buyers. Ghilaidhari BP Tea fetched Rs 16 lakh and was purchased by Society Tea, making it the highest-priced lot at the special auction.
Zamira BP Tea was another major sale, fetching Rs 13 lakh and being purchased by Jivraj Tea.
Several major tea buyers from different parts of the country participated in the auction, reflecting the industry’s wider support for the relief initiative.
Additional Contributions From Tea Organisations
Apart from the auction proceeds and the Rs 65 lakh contribution, other organisations associated with the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre also contributed to the relief fund.
The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre contributed Rs 20 lakh, while the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre Tea Lounge donated Rs 5 lakh. The Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers’ Association contributed another Rs 2 lakh.
These contributions further increased the support generated through the initiative for flood-affected people in Assam.
Tea Industry Comes Together for Relief
The charity auction demonstrated the role of Assam’s tea industry beyond tea production and commercial trading. Producers, brokers, warehouses, auction officials and buyers all participated in making the event possible.
Tea producers provided the lots for auction, while brokers and warehouses supported the initiative by waiving associated charges. Buyers then participated in the bidding and contributed to the relief effort through their purchases.
The collective effort highlighted the industry’s connection with Assam’s economy as well as its wider social and cultural significance.
Maniram Dewan’s Legacy Also Honoured
The special auction was held alongside the unveiling of a bust of Swahid Maniram Dewan at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre. Dewan is remembered as an early indigenous tea grower and a figure associated with Assam’s history and the 1857 uprising.
The event therefore combined Assam’s tea heritage with a contemporary humanitarian initiative. The special auction was also notable because an event of this nature was being held at GTAC after a gap of several years.
Relief Efforts Gain Support From Tea Sector
The funds raised through the auction are expected to support the state’s ongoing relief efforts for families affected by floods. Assam regularly faces flooding that affects homes, agricultural land and livelihoods across several districts.
The special tea auction provided the state’s tea fraternity with an avenue to contribute directly towards relief activities.
With more than Rs 2.26 crore raised through the combined contributions, the initiative has brought Assam’s iconic tea industry into the centre of a major fundraising effort. Sarma’s appeal and the participation of producers and buyers have underscored how the state’s established tea-trading network can also be mobilised for social welfare and emergency relief.