In Tripura’s lone hill station Jampui Hills, a dormant arecanut leaf plate-making machine is helping recovering drug addicts rebuild their lives through skill development and sustainable livelihoods. The newly inaugurated Samaritan Skill Development Training Center combines rehabilitation, employment opportunities, and community support to combat substance abuse and promote recovery.
In the serene landscapes of Tripura’s only hill station, a unique rehabilitation initiative is offering a second chance to individuals struggling to recover from drug addiction. What was once an unused government-supported machine gathering dust has now become a symbol of hope, employment, and transformation for many young lives affected by substance abuse.
The story revolves around an arecanut leaf plate-making machine installed in 2021 under the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) initiative through Evening Star NGO. Despite its potential, the machine remained idle for years, unable to serve the purpose for which it was intended. Meanwhile, another crisis continued to deepen across the region as drug addiction increasingly affected families and communities, particularly among the youth.
A major turning point arrived on June 1 with the formal inauguration of the Samaritan Skill Development Training Center in the Jampui RD Block. The centre, inaugurated by Debabrata Roy, Block Development Officer of Jampui RD Block, has transformed the dormant machine into a powerful tool for rehabilitation and livelihood generation.
For the residents undergoing treatment at the Calvary Healing Center, the initiative represents much more than vocational training. It offers a pathway toward self-reliance and social reintegration after battling addiction.
According to Lalfinpuia, Home Project Director of the Calvary Healing Center, the project aims to address one of the most critical aspects of rehabilitation — ensuring that recovering individuals have access to meaningful employment opportunities.
“This centre is not just about learning a trade. It is about giving our young people a reason to stay clean, a purpose, a livelihood, and a place where they belong. Every plate made here tells a story of a life being rebuilt,” he said during the inauguration ceremony.
The centre’s foundation is built upon years of skill development programmes supported by the Social Welfare Department. Individuals receiving treatment at the rehabilitation facility have already been trained in practical trades such as arecanut leaf plate manufacturing, carpentry, and plumbing. However, the absence of dedicated infrastructure often limited their ability to convert those skills into sustainable sources of income.
The newly established facility bridges that gap by providing a structured environment where trainees can practice, produce, and eventually earn from their work.
The journey to establish the centre, however, was not without challenges.
Lalfinpuia explained that the organisation lacked the financial resources needed to purchase manufacturing equipment independently. While searching for alternatives, they identified the unused arecanut leaf plate-making machine that had been lying dormant since its installation under the VDVK programme.
Recognising its potential, the organisation approached authorities with a request to utilise the machine for rehabilitation purposes.
“We couldn’t afford a machine on our own. The Arecanut Leaf Plate Making machine that had been installed in 2021 under VDVK through Evening Star NGO was lying unused. We requested to borrow it, and what happened next changed everything for us,” Lalfinpuia recalled.
The proposal eventually reached Chandni Chandran, District Magistrate of North Tripura, who ordered an inquiry into the request. Following the assessment, permission was granted for the machine to be operated under the supervision of the Calvary Healing Center.
The approval transformed an unused government asset into an instrument of social change, creating opportunities for individuals seeking to rebuild their lives after addiction.
Despite this achievement, challenges remain significant. Drug addiction continues to affect numerous families across Tripura, and the demand for rehabilitation services often exceeds available capacity.
Lalfinpuia noted that the Calvary Healing Center currently has only 18 seats, yet the number of people seeking treatment regularly surpasses that limit.
“Drug addiction is severely affecting our youth, and many parents cannot sleep peacefully. Many families are being torn apart. In this centre, where we can only accommodate 18 seats, we always have more patients than we can care for,” he said.
The initiative has also received support from the Social and Economic Development Committee (JSBA) through volunteers and community contributions. Beyond vocational training, supporters view the project as a model that combines rehabilitation with long-term economic empowerment.
During the event, Lalfinpuia called for broader policy reforms to strengthen rehabilitation services throughout Tripura. He proposed the establishment of a dedicated Tripura Social Defence and Rehabilitation Board under the Social Welfare Department to oversee rehabilitation centres, establish standard operating procedures, conduct inspections, and ensure quality care for patients.
He further expressed concerns regarding the functioning of some rehabilitation centres and emphasized the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms.
“Some individuals might be using this as a business, and some might even be providing improper care within these centres. I want Tripura to awaken and for this message to be taken seriously so that we can become a drug-free state,” he stated.
The centre also acknowledged the continued support of the Social Welfare Department, particularly Director Lalfaktlinga Hrangchal, whose assistance helped sustain and develop the programme.
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Today, in the mist-covered hills of Jampui, discarded arecanut leaves are being transformed into eco-friendly plates. More importantly, individuals once trapped by addiction are finding renewed purpose, dignity, and hope. Through skill development, community support, and rehabilitation, the Samaritan Skill Development Training Center is demonstrating that recovery is not only possible but can also lead to meaningful and sustainable livelihoods.
As Tripura continues its fight against substance abuse, this small initiative in the state’s lone hill station stands as a powerful example of how innovation, compassion, and opportunity can help rebuild lives and strengthen communities.
