Agartala, Aug 22: As part of the state’s ongoing efforts to promote self-reliance among youth, 25 trained young men and women were provided sewing machines today at a programme held in the premises of the West District Social Welfare and Social Education Officer’s Office at Melarmath.
The distribution was carried out under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, following a 10-day training programme in tailoring.
Inaugurating the event, Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy highlighted that India’s textile industry offers a vast market. He said that Tripura alone spends heavily on purchasing sports uniforms from outside the state. “If our trained youths produce such garments locally, it will not only strengthen their financial base but also boost self-reliance,” the Minister added.
He stressed that the state government has given priority to women empowerment, noting that there are over 50,000 self-help groups (SHGs) in Tripura, with many women successfully becoming financially independent. Skill development in sectors like tailoring, he said, can help youth stand on their own feet.
The Minister also touched upon the state’s campaign against substance abuse, urging families to come forward alongside the government in creating a drug-free society. He announced that a 100-bed de-addiction hospital is being set up at Bishramganj for the treatment of addicts.
Among those present were Biswajit Shil, Acting Sabhadhipati of West Tripura Zilla Parishad; Tapan Kumar Das, Director of Social Welfare & Social Education; Jayanti Debbarma, Chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights; and Additional District Magistrate Asit Kumar Das. The welcome address was delivered by West District Social Welfare Inspector Deepak Lal Saha.
At the programme, guests and participants also took an anti-drug pledge. The Sports Minister and other dignitaries joined in distributing the sewing machines and certificates to the 25 trained youths.
The event was jointly organized by the West Tripura District Administration and the District Social Welfare & Social Education Office.
