Maharaja Bir Bikram was a visionary leader who laid foundation of modern Tripura: CM

Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur’s vision, progressive thinking and development-oriented initiatives laid the foundation for modern Tripura, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said on Wednesday.

Addressing a programme organised at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala to commemorate the 118th birth anniversary of the former Maharaja, Chief Minister Saha paid tribute to his memory and said the present government was working for the overall development of the state by following the path shown by Maharaja Bir Bikram.

The Chief Minister said there had been attempts in the past to distort history and prevent people from learning about the contributions of the kings and Maharajas. 

He stressed the importance of remembering the contributions of those who worked for the state and the country and ensuring that the younger generation is made aware of the correct history.

“Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur was a visionary. He always thought about the welfare of his people and took several important initiatives that laid the foundation for modern Tripura,” Saha said.

He further said that the kings and Maharajas had not been accorded their due respect in the past, but the present government was making efforts to appropriately recognise and commemorate their contributions.

Referring to the development of tribal communities, the Chief Minister said that in the past, a section of the tribal society had been led towards violence and a misguided path. The present government, he said, had taken steps to bring them back into the mainstream.

He also highlighted various initiatives undertaken to preserve heritage structures, traditions and cultural assets associated with the princely era.

The Chief Minister said the government was working for the overall progress of Tripura guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”. As a result, he said, peace had been strengthened in the state, infrastructure had improved and special emphasis had been placed on the development of tribal-dominated areas.

During the programme, the Maharaja Bir Bikram Smriti Puraskar 2026 was conferred on Dr. Dhammapiya Maharaj.

Minister Santana Chakma, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumder, MLA Abhishek Debroy, Information and Cultural Affairs Department Secretary Kiran Gitte and other dignitaries were present at the programme.

Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur at Zero Point and at the state BJP office in Agartala on the occasion of his birth anniversary.