Tripura, 14 Dec 2025: Women’s self-reliance can become a powerful path to empowerment—but it requires women to take initiative themselves, along with support from society. Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes that women are symbols of strength, and a self-reliant society of women can build a stronger nation.
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha said this while inaugurating the 20th edition of the Handloom, Handicrafts and Self-Help Group Fair at Hapania International Fair Ground on 13 December. The theme of this year’s fair is “Women’s Path to Self-Reliance, Path to a Prosperous Future.” A total of 415 stalls have been set up at the fair.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that both the Central and State governments have taken several initiatives for the social and economic development of women. The State government aims to ensure women’s participation in every sphere and to take society forward to greater heights. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Vocal for Local, new dimensions have been added to women’s self-reliance.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the State government is giving special attention to strengthening women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs). As a result, more than four lakh women in the state are now associated with SHGs. Banking support has been arranged to provide financial assistance to SHG members, and the government is working to ensure proper market access for their products. He advised SHG members to focus on improving product quality and increasing market demand.
He further urged SHG members to move beyond traditional thinking, adapt to changing times, and engage actively in production and marketing. The Chief Minister noted that the government is working not only for women’s self-reliance but also for their empowerment, education, health, nutrition, safety, and dignity.
Various schemes such as Women Police Stations, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, and Mudra Loans are benefiting women across the state. He added that fairs like this provide a platform for SHG products to reach wider markets and also help in promoting national integration through the exchange of diverse cultures.
During the event, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly renovated TRLM Smriti Pratima (Memorial). Among those present were Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Ramprasad Pal, MLA Minarani Sarkar, MLA and Chairperson of Agartala Municipal Corporation Dipak Majumder, Chairperson of West Tripura Zilla Parishad Biswajit Shil, West Tripura District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar, and CEO of TRLM Siddharth Shivaji Thakare, who delivered the welcome address.
