From Plucking Tea Leaves To Jhumur Songs: PM Modi's Day Out With Tea Garden Workers In Assam

Last Updated:April 01, 2026, 14:11 IST

PM Modi's tea garden visit had political weight, as Tea Tribes form 17-18% of Assam’s population and influence 26–32 Assembly constituencies.

Assam assembly election: In poll-bound Assam, Narendra Modi made a symbolic and culturally resonant visit to the lush tea gardens of Upper Assam during the premium first flush season. Walking through the verdant stretches of the renowned Monohari Tea Estate in Dibrugarh district, the Prime Minister spent time with women tea pluckers, joining their daily routine and observing their work closely.

During the early morning plucking hours, PM Modi interacted with around 18-19 women workers, asking detailed questions about tea harvesting. He enquired whether they plucked the traditional “two leaves and a bud" or the more selective “one and a half leaves and a bud". The workers replied that both methods are used depending on requirements. He also joined them in plucking, collecting nearly a kilogram of green tea leaves and placing them into a traditional bamboo basket, locally known as a tupa.

The visit soon turned into a personal and memorable interaction. At PM Modi’s request, the women sang traditional Jhumur songs. He also asked about their lives beyond the gardens, including whether they travel outside and what their aspirations are.

One tea garden worker, visibly emotional, described the moment.

“I still cannot believe that Prime Minister Modi was with us, plucking tea leaves. It is a privilege for us. He asked me whether I pluck two leaves and a bud or one and a half leaves and a bud-I told him both. He also asked if we sing while working. When I said yes, he asked us to sing, and we performed Jhumur for him. He then asked if we ever go outside the garden. I said no. When he asked where we would like to go, we immediately said Ayodhya. Modi Ji promised that he would take us to Ayodhya soon. It was a dream come true-something we will never forget."

The Prime Minister later described the experience as “very memorable", praising the dedication and resilience of tea garden workers. He highlighted their contribution to Assam’s identity, economy and global reputation in the tea industry.

The Monohari Tea Estate is known worldwide for producing some of the most expensive teas, with certain varieties priced as high as Rs 1.5 lakh per kilogram. Its prized “gold tea", made from select clones and handpicked at dawn, is noted for its distinct aroma and flavour.

The visit also carried political significance. The tea garden community, often referred to as the Tea Tribes, makes up around 17-18% of Assam’s population. Their influence spans roughly 26 to 32 of the state’s 126 Assembly constituencies, especially in Upper Assam districts such as Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Jorhat and Golaghat, as well as parts of the North Bank and Barak Valley regions.

Reflecting this importance, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have fielded several candidates from the tea tribe community in the upcoming elections.

The BJP’s tea tribe candidates include Rupesh Gowala, Sanjay Kishan, Rameswar Teli, Dhiraj Gowala, Krishnakamal Tanti, Rupjyoti Kurmi, Pallab Lochan Das and Rajdeep Gowala.

On the other hand, the Congress has nominated Durga Bhumij, Pran Kurmi, Kartik Kurmi, Batas Orang, Pranjal Ghatowar, Roselina Tirkey and Joseph Hasda from the tea tribe and Adivasi community.

As part of his two-day visit to Assam, the Prime Minister arrived in Dibrugarh on March 31 and stayed at the Manohari Tea Resort. He also addressed election rallies in Dhemaji and Biswanath districts in the north bank of Assam.

Blending cultural engagement with political outreach, Modi’s visit to the tea estate highlighted both the human and strategic aspects of his Assam tour, where a simple promise of an Ayodhya visit turned an ordinary workday into a memorable experience for the workers.

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