Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurates major education, sports, market, and de-addiction projects in South Tripura, highlighting inclusive development, quality education reforms, modern sports infrastructure, and strong measures toward a drug-free society.
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Friday reaffirmed that Tripura is steadily advancing across key sectors including education, culture, sports, industry, and commerce, and has secured a distinctive position at the national level in terms of overall development.
The Chief Minister made these remarks while virtually inaugurating and laying foundation stones for a series of development projects across South Tripura district. The programme was held at the Belonia Vidyapeeth ground, with participation from elected representatives, senior officials, and local stakeholders.
As part of the day’s initiatives, Dr. Saha inaugurated the newly constructed permanent building of Niharnagar Class XII School in the Rajnagar area of the Belonia subdivision. He also inaugurated the new pucca building of Ghoshkhamar Class XII School, while the modern infrastructure of Belonia English Medium Class XII School was virtually inaugurated.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister stated that the government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of development reach all sections of society, particularly marginalized and underserved communities. He noted that approximately ₹80 crore is being invested in the Rajnagar area alone for the improvement of roads, drinking water supply, electricity, education infrastructure, and other essential services.
Dr. Saha highlighted that Tripura has received as many as 347 awards for development initiatives in recent years, reflecting the state’s consistent progress. He said new schools are being established to strengthen the education system, while smart classrooms, digital libraries, and student stipend schemes are being expanded. Courses designed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) have also been aligned with the National Education Policy to modernize learning outcomes.
Emphasising the role of teachers, the Chief Minister described schools as “temples of learning” and stressed the importance of fostering a strong and ethical relationship between teachers and students. He urged educators to remain updated with changing educational practices and to impart social values alongside academic knowledge.
To address teacher shortages, the government has adopted a transparent recruitment policy through the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET). Dr. Saha added that initiatives such as PM-SHRI Schools and Vidya Jyoti Schools are playing a vital role in delivering quality education across the state.
Referring to India’s ancient centres of learning such as Nalanda and Taxila, the Chief Minister said that the spirit of holistic education must be revived, combining intellectual growth with moral and cultural values. He also noted that vocational training centres have been introduced in 435 schools to equip students with practical skills and enhance employability.
The Chief Minister underscored the importance of sports in youth development and social reform. He said new playgrounds and sports infrastructure are being developed across the state, with a focus on nurturing talent from the grassroots level. Tripura, he said, has produced national-level athletes, including prominent cricketers, which reflects the success of sustained sports promotion.
In line with this vision, Dr. Saha inaugurated the Belonia Indoor Cricket Practice Shed and virtually inaugurated similar indoor cricket practice centres at Jirania and Kailashahar. He observed that the expansion of all-weather sports facilities into rural areas would create greater opportunities for aspiring players and help identify talent at an early stage.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the final match of the South Tripura district-level Drug-Free Premier Football League, reinforcing the government’s commitment to building a drug-free society. He stated that sports play a crucial role in keeping youth away from substance abuse and fostering discipline and teamwork.
Earlier in the day, Dr. Saha laid the foundation stone of the Vidyasagar Fish and Vegetable Market at Banakare in Belonia. The modern market complex, to be built at a cost exceeding ₹21 crore, is expected to boost local trade, strengthen economic activity, and provide improved facilities for vendors and consumers.
| Also Read: GMP declares full-scale fight for all 28 ADC Seats |
As part of the state government’s budget commitment to combat substance abuse, the Chief Minister also virtually inaugurated a de-addiction centre hospital at Shantirbazar in South Tripura district, marking a significant step towards rehabilitation and youth welfare.
The programme was attended by Cooperative Minister Shuklacharan Noatia, MLAs Swapna Majumdar, Pramod Reang, Mailafru Mog, Ashok Mitra, and Dipankar Sen, South Tripura Zilla Parishad President Dipak Dutta, District Magistrate Md. Sajad P, Superintendent of Police Mauryakrishna C, Rajnagar Panchayat Samiti Chairman Biswajit Nath, School Education Secretary Dr. Milind Ramteke, Director N.C. Sharma, and other senior officials.
