By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 26, 2026
Agartala, Sept 26 (FD) Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Saturday called for promoting education, humanism, moral values and social responsibility among students while commemorating the birth anniversary of Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Speaking at a state-level programme organised by the Directorate of School Education in association with the Directorate of Information and Cultural Affairs at Muktdhara Auditorium in Agartala, Saha described Vidyasagar as an educationist, social reformer, humanist and one of the pioneers of Bengali prose.
The programme began with dignitaries paying floral tributes to Vidyasagar's portrait. Reflecting on his life and contributions, Saha said Vidyasagar played a significant role in expanding education, promoting women's education and challenging social practices and customs that affected society.
The Chief Minister said Vidyasagar believed that education should not remain limited to himself but should reach wider sections of society. He also highlighted Vidyasagar's contribution to Bengali language and literature, referring to works including Sitar Vanabas, Bodhodaya and Barnaparichay.
Saha urged teachers to transform schools into centres for developing students' talents and confidence. He said students should be encouraged to develop ethics, reasoning, empathy, humanitarian values and a sense of responsibility so that they can contribute to society and nation-building.
Addressing students, the Chief Minister stressed that academic learning should be complemented by cultural activities and sports for the overall development of body and mind.
Highlighting the state government's education initiatives, Saha said Rs 1,178 crore had so far been spent on infrastructure development in 213 schools. He added that 1,64,309 girl students had been provided bicycles.
He also outlined initiatives including ICT facilities, smart classrooms, tinkering laboratories, virtual classrooms, Nipun Tripura, Super 30, vocational education, Vidyajyoti schools and PM SHRI schools.
Saha said government measures had helped reduce the quality gap in education between urban and rural areas, while technology was being used to extend educational opportunities to remote areas.
He also urged students and teachers to play a greater role in maintaining transparency in educational institutions.
Director of Information and Cultural Affairs Bimbisar Bhattacharya said Vidyasagar's influence on Bengali society remained significant. Director of School Education Dr Samit Ray Chowdhury said the department had recently conducted a detailed survey to identify infrastructure-related problems in schools and was focusing on greater use of technology for human-resource development.
The programme also featured the screening of a documentary on Vidyasagar's life and another on the progress of education in Tripura. FD SB