Gujarat Tea Traders Association Marks 50 Years with Golden Jubilee Celebration
Tea industry leaders discuss roadmap for modernisation and future growth at 50th Annual General Meeting
Bilkul Bazaar
Salangpur: The Gujarat Tea Traders Association (GTTA) marked its 50th Golden Jubilee with a grand celebration and Annual General Meeting at the Shri Kashtabhanjan Dev Hanumanji Temple in Salangpur, bringing together members of Gujarat’s tea trade fraternity and leading figures from across India’s tea industry.
The event celebrated the association’s five-decade journey from 1976 to 2026 and witnessed participation from tea traders, entrepreneurs, wholesalers, retailers, packers and commission agents. The occasion highlighted the industry’s achievements while focusing on the challenges and opportunities shaping its future.
Among the prominent industry leaders present were Chief Guest Prabhat Bezboruah, former Chairman of the Tea Board of India and the Tea Research Association; Paras Desai, Chairman of the Federation of All India Tea Traders Associations; and Sanjay Choudhry, Vice President of J. Thomas & Co. Representatives from major tea-producing regions, including Kolkata, Assam and South India, also participated in the discussions.
The Golden Jubilee celebration also received the blessings of Param Pujya Acharya Shri Rakeshprasadji Maharajshri, Pithadhipati of Shri Laxminarayan Dev Gadi, Vadtaldham.
Addressing the gathering, GTTA President Manish Patel outlined the association’s 50-year journey and its evolution into a strong trade organisation representing more than 600 active members across the packaging, wholesale, retail and commission agency sectors.
Patel said the association would continue working towards the collective development of the tea trading community. Drawing inspiration from the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, he also stressed the importance of mentoring the younger generation and equipping them to meet the challenges of an increasingly globalised trade environment.
GTTA Secretary Ratanlal Sharma highlighted the need to make Gujarat’s tea trade more modern, organised and competitive. He stressed the importance of improving tea quality, promoting premium varieties and developing new flavours and innovative products to attract younger consumers and expand tea consumption.
The meeting also focused on the long-term modernisation of the tea trade and strategies for sustainable market growth. Discussions covered strengthening the association’s organisational structure, improving regional representation and ensuring more efficient administration across Gujarat.
As part of the restructuring, the association has appointed four Vice Presidents and four Joint Secretaries to provide representation to different regions of the state under the leadership of President Manish Patel and Honorary Secretary Ratanlal Sharma.
Vice President Chandrakant Prajapati has additionally been entrusted with coordinating the association’s social media operations.
The Golden Jubilee gathering concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening Gujarat’s tea trade, embracing innovation and preparing the industry for the changing needs of the next generation.