Tripura, 22 August 2026: Drama serves as an important medium for building awareness against social problems among the youth, including substance abuse, AIDS, social superstition, child marriage, social decay, and domestic violence, and therefore theatre practice needs to be spread even more widely. Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha said this today at the prize distribution ceremony of the state-level school drama competition organized by the Department of Information & Cultural Affairs at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Town Hall.
A total of 8 teams from 8 districts of the state participated in the competition. Golden Valley Higher Secondary School of North Tripura district secured first place, while Kshudiram Bose English Medium School of West Tripura district and Shishu Niketan High School of Unakoti district took second and third place respectively. The Chief Minister, along with other guests, presented awards to the winners. Additionally, one male student and one female student from each participating district team were given awards for Best Actor and Best Actress.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister further said that the state has no shortage of talent in academics, sports, or cultural practice, and that talent certainly flourishes given the right environment and proper opportunities. He said those who did not win prizes in today’s competition should identify their shortcomings and come forward more strongly in the future. The Chief Minister noted that performing drama helps improve focus, builds self-confidence, helps overcome inhibition, and increases the concentration needed for future success. He added that before India’s independence, drama played a unique role in raising awareness among ordinary people against social hardship and discrimination, and in awakening patriotic sentiment.
Thanking parents who encouraged their children to take part in drama, he urged that children continue to stay involved with theatre in the future. He mentioned that the Department of Information & Cultural Affairs is working to revive the state’s fading
traditions such as puppet shows, Jatra (folk theatre), and drama, and that the state government remains committed to the cultural development of all communities and tribes in this culturally diverse state. He noted that the school-level drama competition has already been included in the official annual calendar of events organized by the Department of Information & Cultural Affairs.
Among others present at the event were Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, MLA Minarani Sarkar, Secretary of the Department of Information & Cultural Affairs Kiran Gitte, and eminent theatre personality Haradhan Dutta. The welcome address was delivered by Bimbisar Bhattacharya, Director of the Department of Information & Cultural Affairs. A short documentary on drama was also screened at the event.
