Clubs must champion social responsibility alongside festivity: CM
Durga Puja celebrations in Tripura lauded for peace, unity, and cultural harmony
Agartala, Oct 11: Tripura Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha today urged clubs and social organizations across the state to go beyond festive celebrations and dedicate themselves to constructive social work, emphasizing that a “beautiful and harmonious society can only be built through collective effort.”
Speaking at the Sharad Samman 2025 felicitation ceremony organized by the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) at Rabindra Satabarshiki Hall in Agartala, the Chief Minister lauded citizens and local clubs for ensuring a peaceful and vibrant Durga Puja this year. He noted that the festival has become a celebration of inclusivity, unity, and cultural exchange across Tripura.
“Durga Puja is no longer a festival of the Bengali community alone—it has evolved into a grand celebration of all communities, reflecting Tripura’s unity in diversity,” Dr. Saha said. “The active participation of tribal and non-tribal people shows that the spirit of harmony is deeply rooted in our society.”
The Chief Minister also highlighted how the arrival of artists from other states enriched Tripura’s cultural landscape. “This year, our Durga Puja saw a beautiful blend of Tripura’s artistic traditions with those from other regions, reinforcing the idea of unity through diversity,” he remarked.
Underscoring the growing social role of clubs, Dr. Saha called on them to work with the government to build an addiction-free and disciplined society. “Clubs and social bodies must not limit themselves to organizing festivals. They should dedicate 100 percent of their efforts to meaningful social causes—be it combating substance abuse, promoting cleanliness, or helping the needy. The government alone cannot achieve everything. Society and administration must move forward together to create a better future,” he asserted.
Linking the festive platform with economic empowerment, the Chief Minister referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vocal for Local initiative and said, “By involving local artists in pandal decoration, idol-making, and lighting, many of our homegrown talents have found recognition and livelihood opportunities.” He also instructed the concerned department to organize workshops for local artisans to further enhance their skills.
Dr. Saha noted that nearly 1.5 lakh people physically attended this year’s Maa er Gomon – Durga immersion procession, while another 1.6 lakh watched the event through media broadcasts—reflecting the festival’s growing grandeur and public participation. “Tripura today stands as a front-runner state in several sectors because of the collective spirit of its people,” he added.
Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, who attended as special guest, echoed the Chief Minister’s message, saying that the Durga Puja festival strengthens the bond between tribal and non-tribal communities. “Every individual must contribute to maintaining peace, discipline, and harmony,” he said, urging clubs to remain committed to community service throughout the year.
ICA Secretary Dr. Pradip Kumar Chakraborty, in his welcome address, thanked citizens, administration, and clubs for their cooperation in ensuring a smooth and peaceful celebration. Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, Tripura Cultural Advisory Committee Vice Chairman Subrata Chakraborty, and ICA Director Bimbisar Bhattacharjee were also present at the event.
The Chief Minister later handed over the Sharad Samman 2025 awards to clubs from all eight districts of Tripura for excellence in themes, idol-making, pandal decoration, and eco-friendly initiatives.
Among the winners were Cosmopolitan Club of Agartala (Best Theme, West Tripura), India Club of Suryamaninagar (Best Eco-Friendly Puja), Unity Byayamagar of Belonia (Best Theme, South Tripura), and Dindayal Social Organisation of Panisagar (Best Theme, North Tripura).
In the Maa er Gomon Utsav 2025 (Durga immersion procession), Shatadal Sangha of Agartala bagged the first prize, followed by Sanghati Club and Blood Mouth Club in second and third positions, respectively.
The event not only celebrated artistic excellence but also spotlighted the growing sense of social responsibility among Tripura’s clubs—marking a shift from festive grandeur to community-driven transformation.
