A personal initiative launched by Tripura Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman four years ago has grown into a constituency-wide education movement. On Tuesday, the programme honoured 470 students for their outstanding performance in the 2026 Secondary and Higher Secondary examinations, reinforcing its mission to promote academic excellence and social awareness across Nalchar.
Key Takeaways:
- Kishor Barman’s education initiative began in 2022 before he became an MLA or minister.
- A total of 470 students were felicitated for their 2026 board examination results.
- Twelve senior government officials from Nalchar were also honoured as role models.
- The programme now covers five locations across the entire Nalchar Assembly Constituency.
- The minister urged students to stay away from drugs, avoid early marriage and pursue education with dedication.
Sonamura (Tripura), August 04: What began as a personal effort to encourage students in Nalchar has now evolved into a constituency-wide movement promoting education, aspiration and social responsibility. Tripura’s Higher Education and Panchayat Minister and Nalchar MLA Kishor Barman felicitated 470 meritorious students today who excelled in the 2026 Secondary and Higher Secondary examinations, continuing an initiative he launched four years ago with a simple vision—“One Nalchar, An Educated Nalchar.”
The students received school bags and certificates during ceremonies held at the community halls in Purba Durlav Narayan village and Nalchar Dashami Ghat. This year’s programme also introduced a new dimension by honouring 12 senior government officials whose roots lie in different villages of the Nalchar Assembly Constituency.
An initiative that began before public office
The significance of the programme lies in its origin. Kishor Barman started the initiative in 2022 through his personal efforts, long before he became an MLA or a minister.
His objective was straightforward. He wanted to motivate students to perform better in the Secondary and Higher Secondary examinations by recognising their achievements publicly. The annual felicitation was designed not merely as a reward but as an encouragement for thousands of students to pursue academic excellence.
Over the years, the initiative has steadily expanded. Today, it has become an annual event covering the entire Nalchar Assembly Constituency and has emerged as a community-driven celebration of education.
Reaching every corner of Nalchar
Unlike many local programmes confined to a single venue, this initiative reaches students across the constituency through five separate locations.
This year, ceremonies were organised on Tuesday at Purba Durlav Narayan village and Nalchar Dashami Ghat. Similar programmes will also be held at Ghas Chowmuhani, Shivnagar and Lakshandhepa Gram Panchayat.
Through these five centres, students from every part of the constituency receive certificates and school bags in recognition of their academic success.
Of the 470 students honoured on Tuesday, 300 were felicitated at Nalchar Dashami Ghat, while 170 students received recognition at the Purba Durlav Narayan village community hall.
Celebrating role models beyond the classroom
The programme expanded this year by recognising professionals who have built distinguished careers while remaining connected to their native villages in Nalchar.
Twelve senior government officials were felicitated across the two venues. They included renowned physicians Dr. Rajesh Das and Dr. Uttam Das, Indian Forest Service officers Biswajit Das and Gautam Das, Tripura Civil Service officer Anupam Das and architect Sunil Das.
By honouring successful professionals alongside students, the organisers sought to provide young learners with real-life examples of what education can achieve.
Education is the greatest investment
Addressing the gathering, Kishor Barman said every successful student benefits from the support of three groups of guardians—parents who nurture children from birth, teachers who shape their education and the students themselves through hard work.
He observed that most families are financially capable of purchasing a school bag. However, the symbolic presentation of a school bag and certificate serves a different purpose. It inspires students, creates healthy competition and reinforces the importance of education within the community.
The minister reminded students that wealth alone does not define success.
“Knowledge comes before everything else,” he said, adding that education remains the strongest foundation for achieving meaningful success in life.
He urged students to dream big but also to support those dreams with disciplined study and sincere effort. Aspirations without preparation, he said, cannot produce lasting success.
A message on values and character
Barman also stressed that education should build character as much as academic ability.
He advised students to cultivate responsibility, honesty, dedication and a strong sense of duty. According to him, these values distinguish truly successful individuals from those who merely pursue material wealth.
Referring to Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi, he said these national icons continue to inspire generations because of their integrity, sacrifice and commitment to society.
Strong appeal against drugs and child marriage
The minister used the occasion to address two growing social concerns.
He urged students to reject all forms of substance abuse, warning that addiction destroys individuals, families and society.
He also expressed concern over the practice of early marriage among girls in parts of the constituency. Encouraging girls to continue their education, he appealed to them not to allow their academic journey to end prematurely.
His message was simple. Complete your education, become financially independent and then make decisions about marriage and the future.
Experts advise balanced use of technology
Renowned physician Dr. Uttam Das and Indian Forest Service officer Gautam Das also addressed the students.
They advised young learners to limit mobile phone use and use digital devices mainly for educational purposes. Excessive dependence on smartphones, they said, reduces concentration and affects both academic performance and personal development.
They encouraged students to remain focused, pursue realistic goals and achieve success through consistent effort.
The annual Nalchar student felicitation programme has now grown beyond a ceremonial event. It has become a community movement that celebrates academic achievement, highlights local role models and addresses critical social issues. As the initiative enters another year, it continues to reinforce a simple but powerful message—education remains the strongest path towards individual success and collective progress.
