Manik Saha, the Chief Minister of Tripura, urged the state to boost its cultural scene and support local talent during a celebration of the 100‑week run of the “Sanskriti Haat” at Sen Para in Nandannagar. The event marked the achievements of the showground that opened on 10 December 2023 and has been drawing crowds every week.
A Fresh Investment for Recovery and Growth
Saha announced a grant of Rs 50.25 lakh earmarked for the Old Agartala Block to upgrade the infrastructure of the Sanskriti Haat. The showground, created by a local cultural group, follows the model of the famous Sonajhuri Haat in Santiniketan, West Bengal. The funding will help improve stalls, transport links and facilities that will serve craftspeople and performers who rely on this popular event for exposure and earnings.
Cultural Resilience in Action
“We have built a vibrant cultural hub that people from Tripura, Bangladesh and West Bengal come to celebrate,” Saha told the gathered audience. “Even in the face of obstacles, the organisers have kept the Haat running every week for the past 99 weeks.” The chief minister highlighted how the regular gatherings have turned the Sanskriti Haat into a “cultural marketplace” that not only entertains but also creates income for local artisans.
‘Lakhpati Didis’ and Women’s Self‑Help Groups
Saha referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for “Lakhpati Didis,” noting that Tripura has already produced 100,800 such entrepreneurial units. “About 485,000 women have joined Self‑Help Groups,” he said, underscoring how these groups craft and sell goods to improve livelihoods. He mentioned that 40 to 50 families have lifted themselves through producing food items and other products, which in turn benefits the wider community and boosts the state’s socio‑economic condition.
Culture as Unity in Diversity
The chief minister stressed that culture connects past, present and future, and that Tripura’s 19 tribal ethnic groups, along with Manipuris, Bengalis and other minorities, coexist in a tapestry of shared traditions. “Culture is our ornament,” he said, “and it makes us proud of our heritage.”
Gathering of Leaders and Artists
The celebration was attended by several prominent figures: Tinku Roy, Tripura Youth Affairs and Sports Minister; former State Assembly Speaker Ratan Chakraborty; Subrata Chakraborty, Vice‑Chairman of the State‑level Cultural Advisory Committee; West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar; CEO of the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission Tarit Kanti Chakma; and Sebak Bhattacharya, president of the Bangla Sanskriti Boloy. Artists, scholars and other dignitaries also joined the ceremony.
The Sanskriti Haat’s 100‑week milestone has highlighted Tripura’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage while enlivening the local economy. With new funds and continued community support, the showground is poised to grow further as a center for creativity, commerce and cultural exchange.
Source: ianslive
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