The National Tea Day-2022 is being observed on Saturday for the second time in the country with the theme ‘Cha Dibosh er Songkolpo, Somriddho Cha Shilpo’ (A prosperous tea industry is the pledge of Tea Day).
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages, on the eve of the day, conveying greetings to all who are involved in the tea sector, reports BSS.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said the tea industry has been deeply involved in the history and heritage of Bangladesh for long 180 years.
The President mentioned that Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first Bengali Chairman of the Tea Board.
Highlighting Bangabandhu’s contribution to the tea industry, the head of the state said he played an important role in the development of the tea industry during his tenure as the Chairman of the Tea Board from June 4, 1957 to October 23, 1958.
Bangabandhu later made an outstanding contribution to the rehabilitation of the war-damaged tea industry after the country became independent, he added.
“In this context, the initiative to celebrate the 'National Tea Day' on June 4 carries special significance,” the President added.
Hamid hoped that the efforts of all concerned in the tea industry, including the Ministry of Commerce and Bangladesh Tea Board, will continue to increase their contribution towards the tea industry for maintaining the economic development spree of the country.
The Prime Minister, in her message, said Bangabandhu made outstanding contributions to the country's tea industry during his tenure as Chairman of the Tea Board and later as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Under his direct instruction, the Tea Research Institute at Srimangal and the Tea Board office at Motijheel, Dhaka were established in 1957, the premier said.
The ‘National Tea Day’ has been declared on June 4 in a cabinet meeting held at July 20, 2020 to commemorate Bangabandhu's contribution to the tea industry and make the date of his joining in the Tea Board memorable, she added.
As a result of the far-reaching plans and effective steps of Father of Nation and various developmental activities taken by the present Awami League government, the tea industry today stands on a sustainable and strong foundation, she said.
Following this, in 2021, a record amount of 96.51 million kilogram (Kg) of tea has been produced from 167 tea gardens and small scale tea gardens (Khudrayaton Cha Bagan) in the country, she continued.
To increase tea production, the government is encouraging large-scale gardens alongside small-scale tea plantations in the plain lands, she said, adding that in the last two decades, there has been a revolution in plain lands of the northern part of the country for tea cultivation.
When the Awami League government came to power in 1996, it took initiative to expand the tea industry in North Bengal in the country, she said, adding that as a result, tea cultivation has expanded in Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Dinajpur districts.
Besides, tea cultivation has also started in the hilly areas of Bandarban, she continued.
Both the president and the premier wished all the success of the day.