Kailashahar, September 7: The current state government is giving top priority to education and health, with a strong focus on upgrading the infrastructure in these two sectors. New projects and opportunities are being introduced to enhance the quality of education and healthcare, without any compromise. Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha stated this while inaugurating the year-long Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Ramkrishna Mahavidyalaya in Kailashahar on Saturday. Before attending the event marking the college’s 75th anniversary, the Chief Minister visited the Ramkrishna Mission Ashram in Kailashahar, accompanied by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy.
Before the inauguration of the Platinum Jubilee celebration at Ramkrishna Mahavidyalaya, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha paid homage to the portrait of Ramakrishna Paramahansa at the college campus and inaugurated a photo gallery and a mega blood donation camp. In his inaugural speech, the Chief Minister emphasized that the government is encouraging women’s empowerment in various ways. He highlighted that female students in colleges do not have to pay any fees, and there is a provision for reservation in jobs for women. “We not only give slogans like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ but also take action to implement them,” he said.
The Chief Minister further mentioned that under the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Education Policy (NEP) has been implemented in colleges and universities across the country to improve the quality of higher education. Tripura has also adopted the NEP, which is being gradually implemented in colleges and universities. “The positive impact of the National Education Policy will be far-reaching, and the next generation will reap its benefits,” he added.
During the event, Dr. Manik Saha announced that the ‘Lakshya’ project has been launched in the state to help educated youth from Tripura prepare for the UPSC exams and achieve administrative positions like IAS/IPS. Those who qualify in the preliminary examinations under this scheme receive financial assistance of ₹5.2 lakhs. So far, 9 candidates have benefited from the Lakshya project. The Chief Minister also mentioned the Chief Minister’s B.Ed Inspiration Scheme, launched in the 2018-19 fiscal year, under which students receive government subsidies on bank loans for their studies. As of now, 796 students have benefitted from this scheme.
The Chief Minister highlighted other achievements, such as the establishment of the Tripura Institute of Technology (IIIT) in 2018-19, which is now attended by students from both Tripura and other states. The National Forensic Science University, operational since the 2021-22 fiscal year, and three new general degree colleges were also established under the current government. Additionally, several new postgraduate courses have been introduced in universities, and the National Law University has been set up. To encourage higher education for differently-abled students, scholarships of ₹5,000 per month and ₹4,000 per month for diploma courses are being provided. As of now, 23 differently-abled, visually impaired students have availed of this scheme. The Chief Minister also mentioned that more universities are being set up in the state, all aligned with the National Education Policy.
Speaking about healthcare, the Chief Minister shared that the first batch results from the state’s only dental college have been released. He reiterated the government’s aim to develop Tripura into a hub for medical and educational excellence, focusing on improving the infrastructure of colleges and universities.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy, while speaking at the event, pointed out the significant improvement in connectivity in Kailashahar, despite it being an old subdivision. “Kailashahar is now well-connected due to the massive improvement of roads, which was not the case before,” he stated. He added that several development projects are underway across the entire Unakoti district.
The event was also addressed by MLA Birjit Sinha, while the Principal of the college, Dr. Pinaki Pal, delivered the welcome speech. Professor Sanjeev Chowdhury, the convener of the Platinum Jubilee Celebration Committee, extended a vote of thanks. During the event, former and current principals of the college were honored, and posthumous honors were given to former principals.
The Ramkrishna Mahavidyalaya donated a cheque of ₹50,000, and the Kumarghat Block Office donated a cheque of ₹1 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, which was handed over to Dr. Manik Saha. Additionally, the Chief Minister presented cheques of ₹3.18 lakhs and ₹4 lakhs from the State Disaster Relief Fund to the families of Nirchanglal Halam, who recently drowned in floodwaters, and Bimal Das Chowdhury, who died due to electrocution. The event was attended by Raval Hemendra Kumar, Special Secretary of the Higher Education Department; Animesh Debbarma, Director of Higher Education; Mobashwar Ali, Chairman of Tripura Waqf Board; Dilip Kumar Chakma, District Magistrate; Kanta Jangir, Superintendent of Police; and Maharaj Swami Khirijanandaji of Kailashahar Ramakrishna Mission Ashram.
The Chief Minister also visited the Ganesh Puja at Panichowki Bazaar in Kailashahar, accompanied by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy and Kailashahar Municipal Council Chairperson Chapla Debroy. Here, the Kailashahar Merchants Association handed over a cheque of ₹21,000 to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
