Tripura origin NRIs eager to invest in state: CM 

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Friday participated in the Bhumi Pujan and foundation stone laying ceremony of the new building of Bapuji School and highlighted the state government’s focus on education reforms and engagement with the Tripura diaspora.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister referred to the recent Probashi Tripura Summit and said it received an overwhelming response from people originally from the state but now settled elsewhere. He said 85 participants attended the summit, far exceeding the expected number of 70, and all of them came at their own expense.

“All of them are well established in their respective fields and are keen to invest in Tripura. They are working in close coordination with industry leaders,” Dr Saha said. He added that officials have been instructed to maintain close communication with them to ensure meaningful outcomes.

The Chief Minister described the participants as “sons of the soil”, saying they are deeply connected to the roots of the state and are a valuable asset for Tripura’s development. He said around 300 to 400 more people have shown interest in joining the next edition of the summit, which is expected to contribute significantly to the state’s growth.

Referring to the education sector, Dr Saha said he had visited various parts of the state where people had donated land for schools, calling such individuals nationalistic in mindset. He said Bapuji School was also built in the same spirit of public service.

Highlighting the importance of education for the young generation, particularly those in the 18 to 35 age group, the Chief Minister said this demographic has been shrinking globally, making it even more important to invest in human resources. He stressed the need for moral science and deeper learning to help students gain a better understanding of society and values.

Dr Saha spoke about different education boards, including CBSE, ICSE, TBSE and open boards, noting that CBSE offers a uniform curriculum, ICSE has a strong syllabus, while the state board gives emphasis to regional culture. He said the state has adopted CBSE-style education along with international boards for global exposure and open schooling for working individuals to ensure wider coverage and holistic education.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, stating that despite opposition from some political parties, the policy blends India’s inherent wisdom with modern science and technology. He said vocational training, multidisciplinary education, flexible subject choices, certificate and honours courses have been integrated under the policy, which is expected to reduce dropout rates.

Dr Saha added that the NEP focuses on bridging learning gaps through digital systems and promotes the use of artificial intelligence-driven education to better prepare children for the future.