Agartala: The birth anniversary of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, remembered as the Father of Modern Tripura, was commemorated today at Pragya Bhavan, Agartala, in a programme organised for the first time by the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Tripura. The occasion combined remembrance of the visionary ruler with contemporary initiatives for the educational advancement and welfare of Scheduled Tribe students.

The programme was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Tribal Welfare Minister Shri Bikash Debbarma, who attended as the Chief Guest.

A major highlight was the distribution of chapter-wise fully solved printed study materials for Classes VI to XII, in both English and Bengali mediums, including Kokborok notes, under the department’s flagship Smart Class Project.

The project covers 100 government ST hostels across Tripura and is implemented by the Institute for Career Advancement. The Smart Class Project is designed to focus on technology based education, while creating a balance with conventional learning resources.

The event also marked the launch of the Super 100 Scheme for coaching of tribal students.
Academic achievement was another major focus. Merit awards were presented to toppers of ST boarding houses based on records available through the BMS application, while sub-divisional toppers and state-level Madhyamik toppers were also honoured. Under the “Clean Hostel, Green Hostel” initiative, government ST hostels demonstrating commitment to cleanliness, greenery and a better residential environment were recognised.

Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Minister Shri Bikash Debbarma highlighted the achievements and initiatives of the Tribal Welfare Department for the development of the tribal community and acknowledged the support and guidance of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tripura in promoting tribal education and the overall welfare of the tribal community. He also referred to the developmental thrust of the double-engine government under the guidance and vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Secretary, Tribal Welfare, Dr. K. Sasikumar, highlighted the achievements of students and hostels under various schemes and awards and referred to the successful implementation of the Smart Class Project and its benefits for hostel students.

Director, Tribal Welfare, Shri Subhashish Das, outlined future measures being considered to further strengthen the welfare and educational advancement of Scheduled Tribe students in the state.

For the Institute for Career Advancement, the implementing agency of the Smart Class Project, the occasion marked an important milestone. Over the past decade, it has completed approximately 50 government and PSU-funded projects and worked with more than 10 government agencies and public sector undertakings (PSUs). It is a Tripura Government-recognised Start-Up and an Industry-cum-Implementation partner of a recognised Sector Skill Council. Its areas of work include ed-tech, career guidance, mental health, competitive exam coaching, software development, skill development, manpower services, etc.