Bijnor: A whiff of Bijnor’s rural ingenuity wafted through the high-level corridors of the Brics Summit 2026, as an indigenous herbal brew crafted by a women’s self-help group was served to heads of state and global dignitaries at the gala dinner in New Delhi on Saturday.Branded as Vidur Prerna Swadeshi Herbal Tea, the blend is produced by a collective of women in Lakkhiwala, a remote hamlet situated 50 km from Bijnor district headquarters under Kotwali Dehat block.The organic brew, crafted from a traditional mix of giloy, mulethi, raw turmeric, cardamom, and fennel, infused with a spray of lemongrass water, achieved national prominence after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised its taste and medicinal properties during his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on July 26.The national spotlight triggered a surge in demand, with distributorship inquiries pouring in from across the country and a visit from a NITI Aayog delegation.“Prime Minister’s appreciation greatly boosted the confidence of all the women associated with our group. Coming from a farming family, I knew about medicinal plants and Ayurveda. With administrative support, we developed this tea and promoted it door-to-door. We are extremely proud that our work has reached such an international stage,” said Babita Rani, 45, a mother of three and head of the self-help group.The initiative is part of a broader administrative push. Vidur Prerna Swadeshi was established as a community brand by Bijnor district administration in Dec 2023. According to district magistrate Jasjit Kaur, over 30,000 self-help groups operate under Livelihood Mission, marketing more than 160 products under Vidur umbrella with a cumulative turnover exceeding ₹12 crore.To scale production, Lakkhiwala group received a ₹10 lakh loan under Chief Minister Youth Self-Employment Scheme. Currently, 11 women are associated with the enterprise, producing roughly 1,000 packets of 100 grammes each, which retail for Rs 300 directly and carry a printed price of Rs 350.“This is a major achievement for Bijnor. The product’s quality and the hard work of these women have taken a village-made tea to the world stage, boosting rural self-reliance,” said DM Jasjit Kaur.As India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, Bijnor has just sipped its way to the international platform.