HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, June 4: A group of seven women tourists from Japan visited the historic Bisa Gaon village in Ledo under the 83rd Margherita constituency in Tinsukia district on Wednesday afternoon. The visit celebrated the legacy of Assam’s tea heritage, as Bisa Gaon is renowned as the ancestral home where tea was first discovered in India nearly 200 years ago by the family of freedom fighter Bisa Gam Singpho.
Led by team leader and tour arranger Yoshie Matsumiya, the Japanese delegation arrived at the residence of Duwa Bisa King Mung Dang Gam Singpho in the Tirap tribal belt. They were warmly welcomed by the Bisa Raja family, who greeted the guests with traditional Singpho gamoshas. The visitors, in turn, presented gifts to the Bisa Mung Dang Gam Singpho family.
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The event was graced by notable dignitaries, including Senggam Labram, National President of the Singpho community, veteran journalist and writer Jagat Changmai—a close friend of the late King Bisa Nong Singpho, Mithun Baruah, journalist from Margherita, and Bisa Gaon Pradhan Bisa Tong Singpho.
Accompanied by Dr. Pradip Baruah, a noted tea expert and promoter of Assam Tea Tourism from Guwahati, the Japanese group keenly observed traditional tea-making techniques used by the Singpho tribe centuries ago.
Dr. Baruah highlighted the global significance of Assam tea, noting that while it has reached international markets, there is a pressing need to improve quality standards. “Tea is the world’s second most consumed beverage after water, making the enhancement of Assam tea’s quality vital to meeting growing international demand,” he said.
This visit underscores the cultural and historical importance of Assam’s tea heritage and promotes cross-cultural exchange through tea tourism.
