Agartala, Sep 14: Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday emphasized the government’s efforts to promote tourism and enhance the economic well-being of local communities.
Dr Saha inaugurated the closing ceremony of the three-day traditional Neermahal Water Festival held at Rajghat, Melaghar. Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister stated that under the Swadesh Darshan program, various initiatives are being undertaken to develop the state’s tourism sector, with Neermahal playing a central role.
The Chief Minister highlighted the historical and cultural significance of Neermahal and Rudrasagar Lake, stressing the need to share their heritage and traditions widely across the country and globally. He expressed confidence that increased tourism would bring more visitors from within the state, across India, and from abroad, thereby improving the livelihoods of local residents.
Professor Saha further noted that the lives of people in the area are deeply intertwined with Neermahal and Rudrasagar. He described Neermahal as one of India’s most prominent water palaces, with its beauty and natural surroundings serving as major attractions for tourists. The Chief Minister also mentioned the state government’s focus on empowering rural communities, particularly women, by forming nearly 60,000 self-help groups aimed at promoting self-reliance.
He concluded by calling on all citizens to work together to maintain peace and build a prosperous and united Tripura.
The closing ceremony was chaired by Higher Education Minister Kishore Barman, who reiterated that Neermahal and Rudrasagar are integral to the lives and livelihoods of the local population and expressed pride in the heritage they represent. Other dignitaries present included Supriya Das Dutta, Chairperson of the Sepahijala Zilla Parishad; Dr. Siddhartha Shiv Jaiswal, District Magistrate of Sepahijala; MLA Tafazzal Hossain; Swapan Kumar Das, Chairman of Nalchar Panchayat Samiti; Anamika Ghosh Pal Roy, Chairperson of Melaghar Municipality; Vijay Debbarma, SP of Sepahijala district; Pabitro Kumar Das, President of Rudrasagar Refugee Fishermen Cooperative Society; and social worker Uttam Das, among others.
Following the boat race competition, winners from several events, including state-level swimming contests, sub-divisional yoga competitions, state-level Manasa Mangal recitations, and various boat race categories, were felicitated by the Chief Minister and other guests.
