Various tea producing countries were celebrating a tea day on their own, some classified as Black Tea Day and some categorised as Green Tea Day depending on the importance to each industry. The day was different from country to country.
Sri Lanka and India used to celebrate the day on December 10. However, on the initiative of China which is making huge strides in the world tea industry, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 21 as International Tea Day.
This year was to be the first occasion to celebrate International Tea Day on May 21. However, due to the pandemic all commemorations were through social and digital Media creating a token ceremonial platform in the tea producing and tea consuming countries the world over.
The reason for celebrating the International Tea Day and creating a popular platform is multifold.
It is inevitable that tribute has to be paid to a country’s tea industry which is a vital sector for the progress of the economy. The people involved need to be recognised. The supply chain players in the value addition cycle from farmers to pluckers and right upto the brand marketeer given due cognition. This is a fascinating story where all the stakeholders in the tea industry could bravely “walk the talk “.
The Sri Lanka tea fraternity salutes the brave and courageous workforce in the tea industry who continue to produce the golden brew to the satisfaction of tea connoisseurs globally despite the lockdown by retaining social distancing, sanitary precautions and by wearing face masks and sometimes, hand gloves.