Tripura, 24 Oct 2025: Just like a sapling cannot grow without care, a child too needs proper care, nutrition, and education for full development. With this vision, the Tripura government is working to ensure every child in the state receives adequate care, nutrition, and education through the Mukhyamantri Sushtha Shaishab, Sushtha Kaishor Abhiyan (Healthy Childhood, Healthy Adolescence Campaign). Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha said this while formally inaugurating the 8th edition of the campaign at Chitrangada Kala Kendra in Teliamura today.
In his address, the Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of the key pillars of the nation’s overall development is ensuring good health for children and adolescents. “If our next generation is not healthy, both the state’s and the nation’s future will weaken,” he stated. Hence, it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of children and adolescents.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of administering Vitamin A to children to prevent vision-related issues. He also highlighted the need to promote mental development and a healthy lifestyle among adolescents aged 10 to 19. He stressed that early marriage and motherhood before the age of 18 are major obstacles to girls’ health and mental growth, urging families and society to take special responsibility in raising awareness.
Dr. Saha said this campaign is not merely a health initiative but a mission to build a stronger Tripura. He called for active participation from families, society, teachers, healthcare workers, and the administration to make the mission a success.
He added that Tripura’s healthcare system has undergone significant modernization in recent years. Advanced healthcare services have been introduced in hospitals including the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC). The AGMC and GBP Hospital, which earlier had 577 beds, now have 1,513 beds, with work underway to add another 100. Patients are provided free meals, and under the Bharat Mata Canteen project, attendants can get lunch at ₹10. A memorandum of understanding has also been signed with AIIMS to further enhance service quality at GBP Hospital.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that in the near future, Tripura will emerge as one of the leading states in the North East in the field of healthcare. He noted that with the support of the National Health Mission, the state has made significant progress in maternal and child health through this campaign. The Nikshay Poshan Yojana is also operational to make Tripura tuberculosis-free.
He said that over 99% of people in the state have been covered under this campaign. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Developed India by 2047,” the Chief Minister called for collective efforts to build a “Developed Tripura by 2047.”
The event began with the Chief Minister distributing Albendazole tablets, Iron-Folic Acid tablets, and TD-10 and TD-16 vaccines to students.
The program was also addressed by Tripura Legislative Assembly’s Chief Whip MLA Kalyani Saha Roy. Health Secretary Kiran Gitte delivered the welcome speech. Among others present were West Tripura Additional District Magistrate Abhijit Chakraborty.
During the event, the Chief Minister also felicitated Civil Defense volunteers from Teliamura for their bravery in rescuing a cow that had fallen into an abandoned safety tank. One volunteer had climbed into the tank to save the animal, supported by seven others, and all were honored for their courageous act.
