Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha has called for the state’s rich cultural heritage and traditions to be showcased on international platforms. Addressing the inauguration of the first-ever Tripura Literature Festival at Rabindra Centenary Bhavan, organized by the cultural group ‘Udaan,’ Dr. Saha emphasized the government’s steadfast commitment to preserving and promoting the literary and artistic legacy of Tripura.
The three-day festival, a landmark cultural event in the state, witnessed the presence of distinguished personalities, including India’s first astronaut Wing Commander (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma, along with several eminent figures from the fields of literature, performing arts, and academia. National and international award-winning personalities also graced the occasion.
A unique feature of the festival’s inauguration was the symbolic gesture by the dignitaries on stage, who each wrote a word of their choice in their native language. Dr. Saha wrote ‘Udaan’ in Bengali, aligning with the festival’s organizing group, while Wing Commander Sharma wrote ‘Jai Hind’ in Hindi, reflecting his patriotic fervor.
In his address, the Chief Minister highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by the state government to support literature and cultural development. He cited events such as the annual Agartala Book Fair, which has expanded its reach to multiple sub-divisions, along with the Atal Poetry and Literature Festival and theater festivals that contribute significantly to Tripura’s cultural landscape. The Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, he added, plays a pivotal role in organizing year-round events to nurture and promote artistic expression.
Tripura, home to 19 indigenous communities, boasts a rich tapestry of cultural diversity, blending tribal traditions with Bengali and Manipuri heritage. Dr. Saha fondly recalled the state’s historical ties with luminaries like Rabindranath Tagore, who visited Tripura seven times and maintained a close association with its royal family. He also noted that celebrated novelist Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay and other literary figures have enriched Tripura’s cultural legacy through their visits and contributions.
Marking the occasion of International Mother Language Day, the Chief Minister paid homage to language martyrs, underscoring the significance of linguistic heritage in cultural identity.
Wing Commander (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma, while addressing the audience, reminisced about his space journey and the breathtaking view of India from space. He described the northeastern region as appearing lush and verdant from orbit. Recalling his historic conversation with then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he reiterated, “When I said ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ upon seeing India from space, I meant every word.” He expressed optimism about the region’s rapid progress and development.
The festival’s inauguration was further enriched by the presence of esteemed personalities such as former Tripura University Vice-Chancellor Padma Shri Dr. Arunoday Saha, renowned percussionist Padma Shri Gokul Chandra Das, acclaimed author Padma Shri Dr. Ravi Kannan, Booker Prize-winning writer Geetanjali Shree, Rabindra researcher Bikach Chowdhury, Techno India University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ratan Saha, sports organizer Rupak Saha, and ‘Udaan’ President Dr. Sumanta Chakraborty. A commemorative souvenir was also released on the occasion.
Besides, Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and noted Bengali author Sanjib Chattopadhyay extended their greetings virtually, adding to the event’s significance.
