By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 26, 2026
Agartala, September 26 (FD) Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Saturday inaugurated a mega voluntary blood donation and health check-up camp for senior citizens organised by the Assembly of Journalists at Maharani Tulsibati Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Agartala.
Speaking at the programme, Saha said voluntary blood donation was one of the noblest forms of social service and stressed the need to sustain such initiatives to ensure that patients do not face difficulties due to shortages of blood.
“People are meant to help people, and this spirit is reflected through blood donation,” the Chief Minister said, urging greater public awareness about voluntary blood donation to encourage more people to participate.
Saha said Tripura currently has 14 blood banks and called for continued efforts to strengthen awareness and participation in blood donation programmes.
The Assembly of Journalists also donated five wheelchairs to GBP Hospital for use by patients. The Chief Minister appreciated the organisation for combining blood donation with other welfare-oriented initiatives and described the effort as a reflection of social responsibility and humanitarian concern.
Saha also spoke about the relationship between the media and the government, describing the media as the “fourth pillar of democracy” and an important institution for reflecting issues concerning society.
He said the state government had increased the family pension for journalists from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000 and was working to provide journalists with healthcare coverage under the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana. He also said workshops were being organised to improve journalists’ professional skills and that the government was continuing efforts to address issues faced by the media fraternity.
The Chief Minister urged journalists to remain updated with technological changes and maintain professional standards while performing their responsibilities transparently. He also called upon the media to highlight welfare-oriented initiatives for public awareness.
Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, who attended the programme as a special guest, praised the initiative. He said the media should highlight shortcomings in government functioning while also acknowledging positive developments.
Information and Cultural Affairs Department Secretary Kiran Gitte and Director Bimbisar Bhattacharjee attended the programme as guests of honour. Assembly of Journalists secretary Sanjit Debroy delivered the welcome address, while vice-president Dibakar Debnath proposed the vote of thanks.
The Chief Minister and other guests visited both the blood donation and senior citizens’ health check-up camps and interacted with donors and elderly participants. FD SB