Agartala: August 19: On the 117th birth anniversary of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, along with Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder and other dignitaries, paid homage at the Zero Point near Kaman Chowmuhani, Agartala. Floral tributes were offered at the bust of the revered king, remembered as the architect of modern Tripura.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Saha described Maharaja Bir Bikram as a visionary leader whose contributions continue to guide the state’s development. “The Maharaja dreamt of Tripura as a hub of education, with medical, engineering, and general colleges. Our government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working to fulfill that vision,” he said.
The Chief Minister also criticized previous regimes for neglecting the Maharaja’s legacy. “It was our government that gave him due recognition, including renaming the state’s oldest airport as Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, which was originally built during his reign,” he stated.
Highlighting the Maharaja’s global outlook, Dr. Saha recalled that before World War II, he visited countries like Germany and the United States to interact with world leaders and gather ideas to modernize Tripura. These efforts, he noted, laid the foundation for the state’s progressive development.
Dr. Saha further emphasized the Maharaja’s commitment to unity and inclusivity. “He worked to bridge gaps between tribal and non-tribal communities, promoted harmony among religions, and always stood by the people in times of crisis. There is much to learn from his leadership,” he said.
Urging the youth of Tripura to draw inspiration from Maharaja Bir Bikram’s life, Dr. Saha extended greetings to the people on this occasion and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to continue his vision for a prosperous and united Tripura.
