ZCZC
BSS-42
DAY-TEA-MESSAGE
1st ‘Nat’l Tea Day’ tomorrow
DHAKA, June 3, 2021 (BSS) –The National Tea Day will be observed tomorrow for the first time in the 50 years history of the country.
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 including the officials-employees of the Bangladesh Tea Board.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said the tea industry has been deeply involved in the history and heritage of Bangladesh for a long 180 years as ‘Tea’ is inextricably linked with the social, cultural and daily life of the common people of the country.
The President mentioned that Father of the 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.
The government took various steps to increase tea production and exports, he said, adding that ‘Tea’ exports have recently increased as a result of the construction of 15,000 self-sufficient housing, safe drinking water, education, health-care for pregnant mothers and children and various measures to improve the basic needs and living standards of tea garden workers and their offspring.
He hoped that the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Tea Board and all those involved in the tea industry will work tirelessly to accelerate the country’s economy, expand the export market, make the best use of land in tea gardens, alleviate poverty and improve the living standards of backward tea workers through the implementation of Vision 2041 in the days to come.
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 direction, the Tea Research Institute at Srimangal and the Tea Board at Motijheel, Dhaka were established in 1957, the premier said.
On the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, the ‘National Tea Day’ has been declared on June 4 to commemorate Bangabandhu’s contribution to the tea industry and the date of his joining the Tea Board, she added.
As a result of various developmental activities undertaken by the Awami League government, tea production in the country has increased by about 60 percent in the last ten years, she said.
In continuation of that, in 2019, Bangladesh produced the highest amount of tea which was 96.07 million kilograms (kg), she continued.
To bring back the old tradition of tea export, the government has emphasized on the production as well as marketing of tea, she said.
As a result, it has been possible to earn around Taka 35 crore by exporting tea to 19 countries in 2020, she said.
Besides, the government has enacted the Tea Act, 2016, she added.
They both wished all the success of the day.
BSS/PR/SRH/KU/2022 HRS