Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan will travel to Tamil Nadu on September 21, 2026, to serve as the chief guest at a major conference marking a significant milestone for India’s tea research sector. The Vice President’s Secretariat announced that he will attend the centenary celebration of the UPASI Tea Research Foundation at Coonoor in The Nilgiris district.
About the event and the organisation
The UPASI Tea Research Foundation, also known as UPASI TRF, is the leading scientific research body dedicated to serving the tea industry across southern India. The foundation was originally set up in October 1926 as the Tea Experimental Station in Gudalur, and this year marks one hundred years since its establishment. The centenary conference being held in Coonoor will be the main event to mark this occasion, and will have the Vice President attending as the principal guest.
What this means for you
This visit underscores the Indian government’s recognition of the tea industry’s importance to the nation’s agriculture and economy. The UPASI Tea Research Foundation’s century-long work in developing better tea varieties and farming practices has direct benefits for tea growers and workers across southern India. If you are involved in tea cultivation, research, or policy work in this region, the conference represents an opportunity to engage with high-level leadership on issues affecting the sector. For students and professionals interested in agricultural science and tea production, the event highlights India’s institutional strength in specialised agricultural research.