Vocal for Local: Bijnor’s Indigenous Herbal Tea Makes Global Impact at BRICS Summit Gala Dinner
17-Sep-26 12:11:32
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In a powerful demonstration of rural innovation and traditional wellness going global, an indigenous herbal brew crafted by a self-help group (SHG) of women from Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district was served to world leaders and international delegates at the 18th BRICS Summit gala dinner held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Branded as “Vidur Prerna Swadeshi Herbal Tea,” the organic, caffeine-free formulation is produced by an 11-member women’s collective led by Babita Rani in Lakkhiwala, a remote village in the Kotwali Dehat block of Bijnor.
The inclusion of this village-made botanical blend at an elite diplomatic gathering highlights the global appeal of traditional Indian herbs, aligning directly with national initiatives like One District One Product (ODOP) and Vocal for Local.
A Classical Ayurvedic Blend for Modern Wellness
Rooted in classical wellness wisdom, the caffeine-free herbal infusion is formulated entirely from local botanical ingredients known in traditional pharmacopoeias for their immune-boosting and therapeutic properties:
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Giloy (Guduchi) & Raw Turmeric (Haridra): Known for immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity.
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Mulethi (Yashtimadhu) & Lemongrass: Promotes respiratory health and adds a natural, refreshing aroma.
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Cardamom (Ela) & Fennel (Shatapushpa): Aids digestive wellness and enhances natural palatability.
The initiative gained national momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the herbal tea’s taste and health benefits during his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast on July 26. The national recognition led to a surge in nationwide demand and a visit from a NITI Aayog delegation.
Empowering Rural Women Through Local Innovation
The production of Vidur Prerna Swadeshi Herbal Tea is part of a broader administrative initiative established by the Bijnor district administration under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
Supported by a ₹10 lakh loan under the Chief Minister Youth Self-Employment Scheme, the SHG produces around 1,000 packets (100g each) per month. Across Bijnor district, over 30,000 self-help groups market more than 160 local products under the umbrella "Vidur" brand, achieving a cumulative turnover exceeding ₹12 crore.
Bijnor District Magistrate Jasjit Kaur noted that serving a locally made herbal product at an international summit represents a major milestone for rural women entrepreneurs and rural self-reliance.
Promoting Botanical Wellness in Mainstream Healthcare
The global visibility of indigenous herbal blends reflects a growing shift toward natural, preventive wellness solutions.
This trend directly complements contemporary shifts in Ayurveda education, where academic programs emphasize raw drug identification (Dravyaguna), quality standardization, and sustainable supply chains for botanical products.
Supported by promotional policies under the Ministry of Ayush, empowering rural enterprises to produce standardized herbal formulations bridges the gap between traditional agricultural knowledge and global wellness markets.
Stay tuned to our Ayurveda News hub for ongoing coverage of rural health initiatives, botanical innovations, and global Ayush industry updates.