Tripura CM Dr. Manik Saha announces two new awards and renaming of Agartala Town Hall in honour of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee on his 125th birth anniversary. The initiatives aim to celebrate Mukherjee’s legacy and promote values of education, social service, and national integration.
On the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha announced a series of commemorative initiatives to honour the legacy of the renowned nationalist leader and founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. At an event organized by the Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) Department at Muktadhara Auditorium in Agartala, Dr. Saha declared the institution of two awards in Dr. Mukherjee’s name and announced that the iconic Agartala Town Hall will be renamed after him, with a marble statue to be installed in front of the building.
In his speech, Dr. Saha stated, “We have decided that, on the initiative of the Education Department, the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Award will be presented every year on Teachers’ Day to individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of education. Additionally, beginning next year on his birth anniversary, the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Excellence Award will be conferred by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department to individuals who have excelled in social, political, national service, or administrative work.”
Highlighting the enduring relevance of Dr. Mukherjee’s ideas, the Chief Minister said, “Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s philosophy, principles, and vision are more pertinent today than ever. He showed us the path to build a self-reliant and socially cohesive nation. His contributions to national unity and governance reforms must be remembered and emulated.”
Dr. Saha lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for furthering the ideals of Dr. Mukherjee since taking office in 2014. He noted that the current social and economic reforms being pursued at the national level align closely with the visionary thoughts of Dr. Mukherjee. “There was a time when the country lacked a clear economic foundation or a defined social structure. After independence, the direction was ambiguous. But under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we are seeing clear progress based on the inclusive vision—Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas—which Dr. Mukherjee also envisioned for Akhand Bharat,” said Dr. Saha.
Further emphasizing the legacy, Dr. Saha added, “Prime Minister Modi has initiated several landmark reforms, including the abolition of triple talaq, which reflect the same dedication to social justice that Dr. Mukherjee advocated. The state government, too, is working in line with the Centre to ensure last-mile delivery of schemes and inclusive governance.”
The event was attended by a host of dignitaries including Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharya, MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, Vice Chairman of the State-level Cultural Advisory Committee Subrata Chakraborty, Secretary of the ICA Department Dr. P.K. Chakraborty, and ICA Director Bimbisar Bhattacharya, among others.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Saha also urged citizens and youth to study Dr. Mukherjee’s life and work to understand the values that shaped modern India. “Every year, we celebrate this day not only to commemorate Dr. Mukherjee’s contributions but also to draw inspiration from his commitment to national service and unity. Learning from his philosophy is essential for the younger generation,” the Chief Minister noted.
The renaming of Agartala Town Hall and the erection of a statue are not merely symbolic gestures but part of a broader initiative to embed the teachings and values of national icons into public consciousness, according to Dr. Saha.
Dr. Mukherjee, born on July 6, 1901, was an academician, barrister, and politician who founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the ideological precursor to today’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was known for his fierce opposition to the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, and his untimely death in 1953 remains a poignant chapter in India’s political history.
| Also Read: Tripura CM: No official word from Tipra Motha on support withdrawal |
As Tripura continues to align its policies with the Centre’s broader vision, the Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to good governance and last-mile connectivity of government schemes. He asserted that the present state administration has prioritized reaching every household with government benefits, a reflection of both Dr. Mukherjee’s and PM Modi’s philosophies of inclusive development.
The dual awards and renaming of a major cultural landmark are expected to further popularize the legacy of Dr. Mukherjee in Tripura and encourage citizens to emulate his values of service, integrity, and nation-building.
