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Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Left Front didn't want people to know much about ‘architect of modern Tripura': CM Saha on Maharaja Bir Bikram's birth anniversary
Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday honoured Tripura's last king, Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, on his 117th birth anniversary and said the erstwhile Left Front Government had made social and cultural arrangements to ensure people didn't know much about 'the architect of modern Tripura'. The CPM-led Left Front ruled Tripura for 25 consecutive years till 2018 and for five years in a separate stint before that. Paying tributes to the last king, Saha said at the Zero Point in Kaman Chowmuhani, 'Maharaja Bir Bikram is called the architect of modern Tripura. His thoughts are still relevant today. Our Government is implementing the dreams that he had envisioned for the development of Tripura.' It's from the Zero Point, which is situated right in front of the south and main gate of Ujjayanta Palace, which used to be the seat of power in the Manikya monarchical era at the time of Tripura's merger with the Indian Union in 1949, that all distances to Agartala city are calculated. Saha stated that the erstwhile Government didn't honour Maharaja Bir Bikram and his contributions to the state, and instead made such social and educational arrangements to ensure that the people of Tripura wouldn't be able to know much about him. It was only after the BJP came to power in the state in 2018 that the last king got recognition. Saha said that Maharaja Bir Bikram built one of the oldest airports in the Northeast region. The Singerbil airstrip, which later became Agartala airport, was rechristened as Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport after the BJP came to power here in 2018. Prior to World War II, Maharaja Bir Bikram travelled to different parts of the world and met global leaders and gathered ideas about how to develop Tripura. 'We know he (Bir Bikram) used to think about vidyapith. He also thought of a rural university. He wanted to have a medical college, a general college, and an engineering college. Today, we are implementing this,' he told reporters. Saha also talked about Maharaja Bir Bikram's commitment to harmony between tribals and non-tribals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also remembered the state's last ruler on his birth anniversary. 'Remembering Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur Ji on his birth anniversary. He is admired for his exemplary efforts in developing Tripura. His passion for public service, commitment to empowering the poor and dedication to social upliftment continue to inspire us greatly. The Central Government and the Government of Tripura are working tirelessly to realise his vision,' he wrote on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid respects on X, ' Homage to Tripura Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur Ji on his Jayanti. He is remembered as the 'Architect of Modern Tripura,' whose farsighted reforms in education, infrastructure, and governance laid the foundation for the state's progress. His legacy continues to inspire generations,' he wrote. Remembering Bir Bikram on his birth anniversary, BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda wrote on X, 'I bow in tribute to Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Bahadur, the 'Architect of Modern Tripura,' on his birth anniversary. His time as ruler was a defining chapter in Tripura's journey, shaping its growth and setting strong foundations for future development. His legacy continues to guide us in working with deep commitment for the progress and welfare of the people of Tripura'. Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress celebrated the day with a host of cultural events in different parts of the state as well. Speaking to reporters, state Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha said, 'Bir Bikram Manikya Bahadur used to be a visionary king of Tripura. He tried to enrich the education and cultural world of the state. He used to rule the state with the mindset of a subject, not a king, which is why different schools, colleges, and cultural centers were set up during his reign. He was a symbol of progress, peace, and a bridge of unity between tribals and non-tribals during the monarchical era itself.' In a jibe at the BJP-TIPRA Motha-IPFT Government, the Congress leader said, 'There is a concerted effort to create a rift within the unity of tribals and non-tribals. Many programmes are being held to destroy the ethnic unity in Tripura. The Congress can't accept it at any cost.' Ashish Kumar Saha urged people to strengthen the bond of unity and solidarity between all communities and maintain peace.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
AAI team visits Tripura CM Manik Saha, holds discussions to revive defunct Kailashahar airport
An Airports Authority of India (AAI) delegation Tuesday met Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and discussed the proposed revival of the Kailashahar airport in the Unakoti district, which has been defunct for 30 years. According to an official from the Chief Minister's Office, the AAI team visited the Kailasahar airport for an on-the-support survey Sunday. The AAI team's visit followed CM Saha's recent meeting with Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia in Delhi, in which the chief minister requested him to revive the Kailashahar airport soon. Dr Saha also wrote to Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu about the issue, said the CMO official. Tripura currently relies on a single major airport, Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in the capital Agartala, which caters only to domestic passengers. In September 2024, Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said the Centre will declare the MBB Airport in Agartala an international airport and make two other defunct airports operational. According to historian and writer Pannalal Roy, the erstwhile kings of Tripura had donated land for the Agartala and Kailasahar airports. During World War II, Maharaja Bir Bikram supported the Allied powers, particularly Great Britain, by deploying a team from the Tripura army to assist them. During this period, airports were constructed in Agartala, Kailasahar, and other locations to facilitate support for the Allied forces. The Agartala airport was renamed after Maharaja Bir Bikram in July 2018. Highlighting MBB airport as one of the airports equipped with the most modern infrastructure, CM Saha had earlier requested the Centre to introduce international services from the airport. 'At present, many flights are operating to most of the important cities throughout the country. More flights will be added in future. There were discussions to begin an international flight to Chittagong in Bangladesh, but the plan is on hold due to the current situation in Bangladesh,' Dr Saha had said. In the Northeast region, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati and Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal have international status. Tripura's MBB Airport has the second-most air traffic in the region after Guwahati.
