Agartala, September 25: Along with the rest of the nation, the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was celebrated in Agartala on Tuesday.
The event, organized at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan by the state’s Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) department, was attended by Chief Minister Manik Saha as the chief guest. Other dignitaries included Dr. Anirban Ganguly, Chairman & Trustee of the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation (SPMRF), and Subrata Chakraborty, Vice Chairman of the State-Level Cultural Advisory Committee.
A large number of students and teachers from various schools and colleges were also present.
The program began by lighting lamp and paying tribute to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, a key figure in Indian politics known for his philosophy of Antyodaya—the upliftment of the last person in society.
In his address, CM Manik Saha stated that prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, the contributions and philosophy of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya were largely unknown to the broader public.
“Today, due to the efforts of PM Modi, every citizen of India is aware of Deendayal Upadhyaya and his vision for the nation,” Saha said.
Highlighting the relevance of Deendayal Upadhyaya’s ideas, Saha emphasized that his mission was to create an inclusive India where no individual, particularly the poorest and most marginalized, is left behind.
“The present government, both at the Centre and in Tripura, is guided by his philosophy of ‘nation first’ and the principle of Antyodaya, ensuring that the welfare of the poorest is prioritized,” he added.
The Chief Minister also referred to Tripura’s ‘Prati Ghara Sushan’ scheme, which aims for the complete saturation of central and state welfare schemes, even reaching those in the most remote areas.
“We are working to ensure that no one is left out of the benefits provided by the government, aligning with Deendayal Upadhyaya’s vision,” Saha noted.
In a broader critique of India’s early post-independence policy direction, Saha claimed that India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was confused about whether to adopt socialism, communism, or capitalism, and the resultant mixed approach hindered the country’s development.
He explained that it was Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, 17 years after independence, who proposed the doctrine of Integral Humanism—a synthesis of material and spiritual well-being, emphasizing the need for the simultaneous development of body, mind, intellect, and soul, both at the individual and national levels.
Saha also praised PM Modi for implementing policies guided by Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy, particularly the slogan Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas (Together with All, Development for All, Trust of All), ensuring inclusive development until the last person in society is uplifted.
Additionally, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for bringing peace to the Northeast by signing 12 peace agreements with militant groups, including three in Tripura.
He noted that these agreements have helped make Tripura militancy-free, paving the way for development and investment in the state.
Dr. Anirban Ganguly, the main speaker of the event, delved into Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy, quoting his belief that simply attaining independence was not sufficient—India must also reclaim its national identity.
He argued that India’s neglect of its own identity was the root cause of many of its issues. Drawing parallels with the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, Ganguly said, “What Swami Vivekananda preached, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya implemented in practice.”
Ganguly concluded by asserting that the best way to honor Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s legacy and to truly worship India is to embrace and live by the principles of Bharatiyata—the essence of being Indian.
The event, attended by a diverse audience, was a fitting tribute to the life and philosophy of one of India’s key nationalist leaders, whose thoughts continue to inspire policies of inclusivity and development across the country.
