In a specific instance of a small-scale bought-leaf factory winning repeatedly the Golden Leaf India Award beating even corporates entities, Vigneshwar Estate Tea Factory situated in Aravenu, a small hamlet 22 kilometres from here, has made a clean sweep winning in all applicable categories for three out of the seven years the award is in vogue.

This factory is a unit of the 26-year-old Hittakkal group. “This year, our group has won four Awards – three by Vigneshwar and one by Hittakkal Estate Tea Factory. Our group has won every year since the inception of the awards in 2005. Both factories have ISO certification,” group Chairman, Mr M. Bhojarajan, told Business Line .

Vigneshwar has won the title for CTC teas in all three categories – leaf, dust and fanning – for entire Nilgiri region. “Last year and in 2008 also, we annexed all three titles. We have won individual awards in other years. Tea connoisseurs round-the-world have been seeking our award-winning teas,” Vigneshwar Managing Partner, Mr B. Ramesh, said.

“Hittakkal orthodox fanning has won award in ‘bought-leaf factory' category in entire south India. We will be offering our award-winning teas in Speciality Tea Auction being held on March 7,” Hittakkal Managing Partner, Mr Rajesh Chander, said.

“The speciality auction is being held on Tea Board e-auction platform. It will be held simultaneously all over the country. For the first time, tea buyers registered in any auction centre can bid from any location. In all, 41,169 kg will be auctioned. NSE.IT, the software provider of Tea Board e-auctions, will extend technical support,” Tea Board Executive Director, Mr R. Ambalavanan, said.

Golden Leaf India Award is a joint initiative of Tea Board and the United Planters' Association of Southern India (UPASI).

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