The six medallists at London Olympics — Vijay Kumar, Sushil Kumar, Gagan Narang, Saina Nehwal, Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt — will get free monthly supplies of multi-brew Nilgiri tea and free stay on Nilgiri tea plantation.
“We have prepared special gift packs of Avataa multi-brew tea for monthly supplies to the medallists. These have been manufactured exclusively for Olympic distribution from the leaves carefully picked at 6,400-ft-high Billimalai Estate, 12 km from Coonoor. Some Avataa teas had fetched over Rs 6,000 a kg in Tea Board-sponsored Nilgiri Winter speciality tea auction,” G. Udayakumar, Director, Bluegate Beverages, which manufactures Avataa teas, said.
“We have also offered free stay to the medallists at their convenience in the Director’s Bungalow at Avataa garden, Billimalai. This stay will give them the unique experience of being amidst the quiet 350-acre tea plantation in a century-old bungalow with modern facilities and mesmerising flower garden and lawn. As these are from Unesco-hailed heritage site, they are befitting for Olympic achievers,” he said.
“This is a fitting display of tea industry’s gratitude to those who have done India proud. During London Olympics, Tea Board distributed tea gift packs of Avataa, Chamraj, Korakundah and Tantea factories to chosen delegates including importers. The response was encouraging and Avataa tea has received specific export enquiries. Our London office will follow up in the UK and rest of Europe,” Tea Board Executive Director, R. Ambalavanan, said.