Branded as Vidur Prerna Swadeshi Herbal Tea, the blend is produced by a collective of women in Lakkhiwala, a remote hamlet situated 50 km from Bijnor district headquarters under Kotwali Dehat block
The organic brew, crafted from a traditional mix of giloy, mulethi, raw turmeric, cardamom, and fennel, infused with a spray of lemongrass water, achieved national prominence after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised its taste and medicinal properties during his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on July 26. We are extremely proud that our work has reached such an international stage,” said Babita Rani, 45, a mother of three and head of the self-help group. Vidur Prerna Swadeshi was established as a community brand by Bijnor district administration in Dec 2023. Over 30,000 self-help groups operate under Livelihood Mission, marketing more than 160 products under Vidur umbrella with a cumulative turnover exceeding ₹12 crore, according to district magistrate Jasjit Kaur. To scale production, Lakkhiwala group received a ₹10 lakh loan under Chief Minister Youth Self-Employment Scheme. Currently, 11 women are associated with the enterprise, producing roughly 1,000 packets of 100 grammes each, which retail for Rs 300 directly and carry a printed price of Rs 350.
The product’s quality and the hard work of these women have taken a village-made tea to the world stage, boosting rural self-reliance,” said DM Jasjit Kaur. “Prime Minister’s appreciation greatly boosted the confidence of all the women associated with our group. Coming from a farming family, I knew about medicinal plants and Ayurveda. With administrative support, we developed this tea and promoted it door-to-door. The initiative is part of a broader administrative push. “This is a major achievement for Bijnor.