By Firstdespatch Desk Aug 31, 2022
Agartala, August 31 (FD) Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma Tuesday said due to lack of proper documentation history of "different colours" were being written in and stressed the need for proper documentation of developmental history along with political and economical history of a state.
He said so during launching a coffee table book on Glimpses of Tripura's development since 1949 till 2022, terming it an effort to document "developmental history" of the state.
"Development is a chain reaction. So, we have documented the development since 1949. We have also included some developments since the monarchial regime. Maharajas of Manikya dynasty contributed immensely in education and other developmental fields. We have also displayed achievements of all the governments for the progress of Tripura since 1949", he said.
The 68-page coffee table book was published by the Department of Planning and Coordination and is divided in eighteen chapters delineating the state's development journey in different sectors including transportation, power, agriculture and horticulture, forest and ecology, Information Technology, women empowerment, urban development, trade and industry, friendship with Bangladesh and justice for people among other issues.
He said that the book 'Glimpses of Tripura's Development since 1949' narrates the developmental works of the state government in various fields from 1949 till date with colorful and rare photographs.
"It has happened time and again that in the absence of proper documentation individual ideas and assumptions creep in with different shades and colors which end up misinterpreting history", said Dev Verma.
An official release said, as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Coffee Table book was published in an endeavour to describe lucidly the State Government's sincere efforts with colourful photographic glimpses of the spectacular transition of the state from 1949 till date in the areas of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sectors highlighting the effort made by the Maharajas of Manikya Dynasty and the State Government.
“As per 'Rajmala', 184 Kings ruled the State before its merger with Indian Union. In fact, Maharajas of Manikya Dynasty also contributed immensely in education and other development fields”.
The state government is focussing on inclusive development with the spirit of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas' which means growth of every individual, development of every part of the State with everyone's trust and efforts, it said.
"History of the royal era was misinterpreted very badly. We lacked local heroes. Every society must have a icon. It's very important to have role model. If we have an icon like Maharaja Bir Bikram, we didn't have to go to Cuba, China or Vietnam looking for one. If we have Swami Vivekananda and Rabindranath Tagore, we must say so. We have Rai kachag, Rai Kasam and we must be able to talk about them, children should know", Devvarma said.
Rai Kachag and Rai Kasam were old generals of the Tripura royal army, who fought with valour against many attacks on the then Manikya king-ruled Tipperah kingdom.
Devvarma today said many things would be lost from the social life in absence of such local heroes and said 'Atmanirbhar Tripura' would need them and not imported history.
He also cited forgotten freedom fighters from Nagaland and Manipur who laid down their lives in fight against the British colonials and said, "Today we are trying to unearth those truths and strenghten our society. It's the same thing with our state. This coffee table book is a story of progression of Tripura".
Devvarma also jibed at Congress saying a impression was created as if freedom was fought by only one family in the country.
"Twisting the history means demolishing society. We are trying to join national and regional aspirations. Earlier these were in conflict with each other. Now, these are complimentary to each other", he said, adding that social development needs cooperation, coordination and commitment of the nation as prerequisites.
This book highlights the commitment of people to the progress of state of Tripura, he said.
Asked if creating a new history wouldn't mean twisting the existing one, Devvarma said, "We are often accused of saffronization. If we did, we wouldn't start with history since 1949. We want to project all true history, and recognise efforts and inspirations of all the previous governments. This is the meaning of recognising Sabka prayas, which is a part of our slogan Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwash, Sabka Prayas".
Questioned how the book that includes contributions of all previous governments including the erstwhile Left Front governments tally with BJP's allegation that nothing was done in crucial sectors till the saffron party came to power, Devvarma said, "When we say they didn't do anything, it means they didn't do what was needed. If they did what could have been done, ADC wouldn't have been crippled. Whatever work should have been done in the time span they got, wasn't done. The time taken and productivity isn't proportional". FD PD JK