Guwahati: A charity tea auction raised Rs 2.26 crore for Assam’s CM’s Relief Fund as Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled a Maniram Dewan bust on Monday.The bust of the tea planter and freedom fighter was unveiled at Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) during the 200 years of Assam Tea celebrations.“As Assam celebrates 200 years of Assam Tea, it is fitting that we honour the first Indian tea planter & freedom fighter, Maniram Dewan. Today I unveiled his bust at the Gauhati Tea Auction Centre as a tribute to his lasting legacy. In Assam, we continue to honour Vikas and Virasat,” Sarma wrote on ‘X’.Sarma sold 12 ceremonial lots that fetched Rs 99.51 lakh. The auction raised Rs 1.61 crore, while industrialist Hemant Bangur contributed Rs 65 lakh, according to a Tea Association of India (TAI) release.The proceeds will support families who lost homes, crops and livelihoods in this year’s floods.TAI senior vice-president Mohit Agarwala said buyers from across the country bid generously. TAI said producers donated the tea, brokers and warehouses waived charges, and GTAC facilitated the sale without earning from it.
