Congress Vs TDP Over PM Modi’s Araku Valley Coffee Brand Remarks
In his latest edition of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the global acclaim of Araku coffee, produced in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sita Rama Raju district. PM Modi praised the coffee’s rich flavor and aroma, noting that around 1.5 lakh tribal families, including the Konda Dora community, are involved in its cultivation. He credited the Girijan Cooperative for significantly boosting the income and dignity of these farmers. Modi also reminisced about tasting Araku coffee with former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in Visakhapatnam, calling it “amazing.”
“Friends, there are so many products of India which are in great demand all over the world and when we see a local product of India going global, it is natural to feel proud. One such product is Araku coffee. Araku coffee is produced in large quantities in Alluri Sita Rama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its rich flavor and aroma. Around 1.5 lakh tribal families are associated with the cultivation of Araku coffee. Girijan Cooperative has played a very important role in taking Araku coffee to new heights. It brought together the farmer brothers and sisters here and encouraged them to cultivate Araku coffee.
This has also enhanced the income of these farmers a lot. The Konda Dora tribal community has also benefited a lot from this. Along with income, they are also getting a life of dignity. I remember once I got a chance to taste this coffee in Visakhapatnam with the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu Garu. And it’s taste…! This coffee is amazing! Araku coffee has received many global awards. The coffee was also a hit at the G-20 summit held in Delhi. Whenever you get a chance, you must enjoy Araku coffee,” Modi said.
Congress General Secretary for Communications Jairam Ramesh responded critically, accusing Modi of exaggeration and implying that the Prime Minister took undue credit for the Araku Valley coffee brand. Ramesh emphasized the role of the Naandi Foundation, supported by state and central government efforts, in developing the coffee cultivation initiative. He also highlighted his involvement in launching the brand in 2007 as the Minister of State for Commerce and revisiting the area five years later as the Union Minister of Rural Development.
“The non-biological PM in his *Mann Ki Baat* today gave the impression that he invented the Araku Valley organic coffee brand. As usual, he was exaggerating. It was the Naandi Foundation that was responsible for the initiative of coffee cultivation by tribal communities in the lovely Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh with assistance from the State and the Central Govt. As Minister of State of Commerce, I had been privileged to launch the brand in Araku Valley on Dec 21 2007. I had been back there five years later as Union Minister of Rural Development,” Ramesh wrote.
In response, Nara Lokesh, a leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and an ally of Modi’s BJP at the center, defended the Prime Minister. Lokesh pointed out that Modi never claimed to have invented Araku Coffee and acknowledged the longstanding efforts of the Girijan Cooperative. He called for decency and honesty in political discourse and expressed happiness that PM Modi highlighted Araku Coffee’s success.
“Jairam Garu, With due respect, I have heard what PM @narendramodi said he has not given any impression about inventing Araku Coffee, which is integral to AP’s culture for years. He also clearly mentioned Girijan Cooperative, which is active since decades. As a leader of a national party, one expects decency and honesty from you. Everyone in AP is happy PM spoke about Araku Coffee and also shared a picture of him enjoying the coffee with Chandrababu Naidu Garu,” Lokesh replied.
