Agartala: Aug 18: Tipra Motha founder and Head of the Royal Family of Tripura, Pradyot Bikram Kishore Manikya on Tuesday said Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur’s legacy remains directly relevant to the ongoing struggle for the rights, dignity and development of Tripura’s indigenous people.
Speaking at a programme marking the 118th birth anniversary of Maharaja Bir Bikram at Manikya Enclave, Agartala, Pradyot said the Maharaja’s vision continues to guide his efforts to secure land and other rights for indigenous communities.
Pic: TMP Founder & Royal Scion Bubagra Pradyot Bikram Kishore Manikya, MP Kriti Devi Singh Debbarma, Prof. Abhay Kumar, Director of IIIT, Prof. (Dr.) Ratan Kumar Saha, Vice Chancellor of Techno India University unveiled ‘Souvenir’ and Mukumu’ textbooks for students.
“Today, when I fight for my indigenous people, I fight on the path which Maharaja Bir Bikram laid down for us,” Pradyot said.
Referring to the land reserved for indigenous people through a Gazette notification in 1941, he said the protection was subsequently removed through an amendment to the Tripura Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act.
“As of now, when I am speaking to the Government of India, I am telling them to restore what the Maharaja had given us years ago,” he said.
Pradyot said celebrating Maharaja Bir Bikram’s birth anniversary should not be viewed merely through a political lens, stressing that the issue was fundamentally connected with the dignity and self-respect of indigenous people.
“I celebrate my grandfather’s birthday because I want the land back for my people. Not everything is related to politics. Everything is related to dignity and self-respect,” he said.
He also recalled the difficulties faced in organising celebrations of the Maharaja’s birth centenary and said political differences had previously affected efforts to commemorate his legacy. However, he said the situation had changed and people were now more united.
Highlighting Maharaja Bir Bikram’s achievements, Pradyot said the Maharaja had made major contributions to Tripura’s development before his death at the age of 39.
“He was 39 years old. We have done nothing at 39, while he changed the map of Tripura at that age,” he said.
Pradyot also referred to the Maharaja’s contributions to the planning of Agartala city, M.B.B. College and the airport, among other institutions and initiatives.
He said the Maharaja’s vision also extended to democratic governance and pointed to the constitutional framework of the erstwhile princely state of Tripura.
“If we have to look ahead, we also have to look backwards. If we have to climb, we must not forget our roots,” he said, urging the younger generation to learn from history before responding to contemporary issues.
“Without love, empathy and unity, we will either fight as a family or lose as individuals. The choice is yours,” Pradyot said.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Maharaj Kumari Pragya Debbarma, Convenor of the INTACH Tripura Chapter, called for greater efforts to preserve and promote Maharaja Bir Bikram’s legacy and urged that his contributions be incorporated into educational curricula and history textbooks.
“Until we develop the indigenous people, we cannot fulfil the dream of Maharaja Bir Bikram,” Pragya said.
She also called for wider promotion of his legacy through exhibitions, cultural initiatives, films, artworks and historical documentation, and urged East Tripura MP Maharani Kriti Devi Debbarma to take up the matter with the Centre.
During the programme, two textbooks, ‘Souvenir’ and ‘Mukumu’, were launched for students as part of the state’s curriculum, with the aim of promoting awareness of Tripura’s history and heritage among the younger generation.
She also thanked the TTAADC administration for urging INTACH to bring out textbooks to help students learn about the history and legacy of Maharaja Bir Bikram.
The programme was organised by the INTACH Tripura Chapter at Manikya Enclave and convened by Pragya Kumari Debbarma. Maharani Kriti Devi Debbarma attended as the Chief Guest, while Maharaja Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma was the Special Guest.
Prof. Abhay Kumar, Director of IIIT, attended as the Distinguished Guest, while Prof. (Dr.) Ratan Kumar Saha, Vice Chancellor of Techno India University, Tripura, was the Guest of Honour.
