The heartbreaking story of Shangmohan Chakma, an 80-year-old from Tripura’s Unakoti District, living in a broken hut amidst abject poverty. After his plea for a PMAY house fell flat, his struggle needs administrative intervention.
Agartala, April 6: Despite Government’ best efforts to ensure ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka vikas’ in Tripura, it appears that a section of the vulnerable and underprivileged sections still remain out of the ambit of benefits of Government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Amid Tripura’s much-talked about “HIRA” model of development, the story of Shangmohan Chakma, an 80-year-old resident of Madhya Karaichhara village in the Pecharthal Block of Unakoti District in Tripura, paints a grim picture of neglect and unfulfilled promises.
Living in a crumbling hut made of thatch and bamboo, Shangmohan embodies those sections which requires focused attention of the administration and assistance to avail the benefits of the Government Welfare Schemes.
As the double-engine government champions schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and boasts of prosperity for all, this elderly tribal man’s plea for a basic house remains unheard.
A Life of Hardship in Madhya Karaichhara
Shangmohan Chakma’s days are marked by struggle. Age has robbed him of his physical strength, leaving him unable to work or farm. His hearing has faded, and his speech, delivered in broken Bengali due to his tribal roots, is barely audible.
He shares his dilapidated home with his grandson, whose modest income as a vehicle helper is their only lifeline. The hut, a relic of a bygone era, offers no respite—sunlight pours in through gaping holes, and monsoon rains flood the interior.
Despite his dire situation, Shangmohan Chakma is inexplicably listed under an APL ration card, a designation that denies him the benefits reserved for the poorest of the poor.
For years, Shangmohan has pleaded with the administration for help, his voice drowned out by the clamor of ‘political promises’.
“They come, they promise, but nothing changes,” he says, his eyes brimming with tears. His dream of a sturdy house—be it concrete or even a simple tin-roofed shelter—remains just that: a dream.
As Tripura’s ruling party celebrates a golden era transitioning into a “HIRA” growth model, Shangmohan’s story stands as a sobering reminder of those left behind and those who need urgent attention.
Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas : Questions that Adm needs to address
Tripura’s government has long highlighted its developmental strides and made significant progress in many areas.
The economic indicators are showing uptrends and urgency for time bound implementation of Government projects is also visible – but Shangmohan Chakma’s plight aptly show the government that its efforts need to be more intensified as still ‘miles to go’ for a holistic development of Tripura.
The government has claimed a successful implementation of the PMAY in the State – however, Shangmohan Chakma’s instance demonstrate a more robust system for beneficiary identification.
Shangmohan Chakma’s dilapidated house and his helpless economic condition raised multiple questions that the local administration needs to address to make Government’s inclusive growth strategy a success.
How does an elderly man in such abject poverty remain classified as APL? Why has the promise of a house—a basic necessity—eluded him despite years of appeals?
His situation is not just a personal tragedy but a glaring indictment of systemic failures in reaching the state’s most marginalized communities living in rural areas of the State.
A Call for Action Amid Promises
Shangmohan Chakma’s story is more than a tale of individual suffering—it’s a challenge to Tripura’s administration and all political parties.
As campaigners busy themselves with lofty rhetoric or sharp criticisms, the elderly man’s reality exposes the hollow ring of their assurances and fight.
He doesn’t seek riches or grandeur—just a roof to shield him from the elements. His grandson’s meager earnings keep them afloat, but it’s a fragile existence that could collapse at any moment.
Elderly man’s plea
Shangmohan’s plea is simple yet profound: a house to live out his remaining years with dignity. As Tripura strides forward in 2025, the question remains—will the government turn its gaze toward the forgotten corners of State and deliver on its promises?
A Living Contradiction
Shangmohan Chakma’s life stands as a living contradiction to Tripura’s development saga. While the state basks in the glow of its “HIRA” growth model, his broken hut and tearful appeals reveal a darker truth.
This is not just his story—it’s an urgent wake-up call for a system that must bridge the gap between rhetoric and reality. Until then, Shangmohan remains a symbol of the overlooked, his quiet suffering a stark counterpoint to the clamor of progress. (With inputs from Asutosh Pal of Kumarghat, Unakoti District)
