NABARD’s 44th Foundation Day was celebrated in Agartala, highlighting its role in rural development. Minister Sukla Charan Noatia emphasized collective efforts for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and praised NABARD’s support for infrastructure, SHGs, and cooperatives, including new initiatives like Micro ATMs and Rural Haats.
The 44th Foundation Day of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Agartala, Tripura, underscoring the vital role of rural development in achieving the national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047. The event, held at a private hotel in the capital city, brought together dignitaries, government officials, and stakeholders from across the rural development sector.
Inaugurating the celebration, Tripura’s Minister of Cooperation, Sukla Charan Noatia, emphasized that the ambitious goal of a developed India by 2047 can only be realized through the collective and united efforts of all government departments, financial institutions, and the rural community. He reaffirmed that the principle of “Sahakar se Samriddhi” — prosperity through cooperation — continues to be the cornerstone of Tripura’s rural growth and development.
Minister Noatia commended NABARD for its consistent contributions to enhancing rural infrastructure, especially through the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), which has played a pivotal role in improving connectivity, irrigation, and agricultural productivity in remote areas. He stressed the need to further expand irrigation facilities in the state to empower farmers and improve their livelihood.
Highlighting NABARD’s multi-faceted role in Tripura’s development, Noatia credited the institution’s support for the successful implementation of several transformative initiatives such as the Self-Help Group movement, the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ programme aimed at empowering rural women, and the GI (Geographical Indication) tagging of Risha — the traditional attire of the indigenous Tripuri community.
“No one can ignore the vital role NABARD has played in propelling India to the position of the fourth-largest economy in the world,” the Minister stated. He further mentioned the collaborative efforts between the Cooperative Department and NABARD, which are helping to strengthen the rural economy through institutional credit, capacity building, and grassroots development.
Anil S Kotmire, General Manager and Officer-in-Charge of NABARD Tripura Regional Office, welcomed the dignitaries and praised the ongoing commitment of state institutions and community-level organizations in fostering rural development. He encouraged Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and Large-sized Adivasi Multi-Purpose Societies (LAMPS) in Tripura to emulate best practices from advanced cooperative states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Deputy General Manager of NABARD, Diganta Kumar Das, provided an overview of the institution’s journey since its establishment in 1982. He outlined the collaborative initiatives with the state government, banks, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), which have significantly contributed to Tripura’s rural economic growth and sustainability.
To commemorate the upcoming International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025, the NABARD Tripura Regional Office took the opportunity to recognize and reward excellence among grassroots institutions. Twenty-four best-performing PACS and LAMPS were felicitated for their contributions to cooperative success and rural service delivery.
In a move to strengthen digital and financial infrastructure at the grassroots level, NABARD distributed Micro ATMs to selected societies, enabling rural residents to access banking services with greater ease and transparency. The event also witnessed the announcement of support for two new Rural Haats (markets) and infrastructure assistance to five PACS, reinforcing NABARD’s commitment to inclusive rural growth and economic empowerment.
Senior dignitaries attending the ceremony included Surendra Nidar, General Manager and Officer-in-Charge of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI); Dr. Akinchan Sarkar, Additional Secretary (Finance); Rakhi Biswas, Additional Secretary (Institutional Finance); and several others from the government and banking sector, who lent their support to the event’s objectives.
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As NABARD steps into its 45th year of service, the Foundation Day celebrations in Agartala served as a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of rural institutions, community empowerment, and cooperative efforts in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for India.
