Guwahati: Amid the devastation left behind by Assam’s floods, one of the state’s most touching acts of solidarity has come not from a corporate house or a wealthy benefactor, but from tea plantation workers who earn their livelihood one day at a time.
Workers and employees of Dikom Tea Estate in Dibrugarh have voluntarily contributed ₹1 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Flood Relief Fund, pooling small donations from their own wages to support thousands of families affected by the floods.
The contribution is believed to be the first instance in Assam where tea garden workers have collectively raised and donated money from their own earnings for flood relief, making the gesture significant far beyond its monetary value.
Individual contributions ranged from ₹20 to ₹300, with every worker giving according to his or her means.
A joint delegation of the Assam Chah Karmachari Sangha (ACKS) and the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) of Dikom Tea Estate handed over the cheque to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at the Dibrugarh Secretariat Bhawan during his visit to Upper Assam on August 2.
The delegation was accompanied by Assam Tea Development Corporation (ATDC) Chairman Rituparna Baruah, Dikom Gaon Panchayat President Ranjit Dutta, and leaders of the two tea workers’ organisations.
For the more than 1,500 workers of Dikom Tea Estate, operated by Rossell Tea Limited, the donation represented not just financial assistance but a shared sense of responsibility towards fellow Assamese rebuilding their lives after one of the worst flood disasters in recent years.
“The workers contributed voluntarily according to their capacity. This was not a donation made out of abundance, but out of empathy. Every worker wanted to do something for the flood-affected people,” said an office bearer of ACKS Dikom Unit.
Tea garden workers are among Assam’s most economically vulnerable communities, with most families relying on daily wages for their livelihood. That reality makes their collective contribution all the more remarkable.
While the workers’ initiative has drawn widespread appreciation, Rossell Tea Limited has also extended support by contributing ₹10 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The company has been implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives for over 15 years, focusing on education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, livelihood generation and skill development. Dikom Tea Estate is also recognised for its community development initiatives alongside producing some of Assam’s finest orthodox teas.
Describing the workers’ contribution as the most meaningful part of the relief effort, a senior company official said, “The workers’ contribution sends a strong social message. It reflects social bonding, mutual trust and, above all, humanity.”
At a time when relief efforts have largely been driven by governments, institutions and businesses, the Dikom workers have demonstrated that compassion often comes from those who have the least to spare.
As Assam slowly recovers from the floods, the ₹1 lakh cheque stands as more than a financial contribution. It is a powerful symbol of brotherhood, compassion and collective responsibility—a reminder that in times of crisis, the true strength of a community lies not in its wealth, but in its willingness to stand together.
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