TRIPURAHERALD

Tripura cabinet has given a nod to fill up at least 253 vacant posts in different departments of the government.Briefing the reporters about the cabinet decision on Tuesday, the state cabinet minister Sushanta Chowdhury said that approval has been given to appoint 125 physical education teachers under the school education department and 75 junior physical instructors under the youth affairs and sports department. Besides, the decision to appoint 53 fishery officers under the Department of Fisheries was taken in the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, he added.He said that in case of recruitment of fisheries officers, the Fisheries department will approach the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC) to conduct a written examination for selecting the candidates.Meanwhile, the minister also informed that the cabinet on Tuesday has given a nod to the increase in dress and ration allowance of the Tripura police and TSR jawans.Earlier, the Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha declared to increase ration money for TSR and police from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per annum and dress allowance from Rs 7,500 to Rs 9,500 per annum.

The ruling BJP’s former Vice president Patal Kanya Jamatia, expelled by the party earlier, on Tuesday accused both her former party and the TIPRA Motha and alleged that they are deceiving the indigenous people in the state of Tripura through their ‘Tiprasa Accord’.Speaking to the reporters on Tuesday, Jamatia alleged that the BJP had simply used her for a political gain, but the party failed to do so. “They have been doing the same with Pradyot Kishore Deb Burman, like they did with me for political gain,” she alleged.She further said that both the BJP and the TIPRA Motha party have been misleading the indigenous people of the state through their ‘Tiprasa Accord’. Jamatia expressed her concern that the state unit was being dominated by leaders who she claims are sympathetic to Bangladeshi interests.“I have informed the BJP central leadership that the party in Tripura will collapse because of the actions of a handful of people,” she told reporters after returning from Delhi on Tuesday.

Along with the rest of India, Tripura also celebrated the Chhath Puja on Thursday with all the traditional gaiety and fervour as scores of devotees thronged Khejurbagan here to offer their prayers to the Hindu Sun God, Surya. Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Dipak Majumder offered prayers at Ranir pond on the occasion of Chhath Puja. A large number of people have participated with great enthusiasm and excitement.Chhath is an ancient Hindu festival and only Vedic Festival which is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes. According to Hindu mythology, the Sun, considered the God of energy and of the life–force, is worshipped during the Chhath festival to promote well–being, prosperity and progress. In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders. The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. It includes holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prasad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun. Chhath Puja is performed on Kartika Shukla Shashthi, which is the sixth day of the month of Kartika in the Hindu Calendar. This falls typically either in the month of October or November in the Gregorian Calendar. It is believed that the Maga Purohits (modern days known as Shakya Dwipi Brahmins) were invited by local kings for their expertise in Sun worshipping. They started the tradition of Chhath Puja. It is believed that the ritual of Chhath Puja may even predate the ancient Vedas texts, as the Rigveda contains hymns worshipping the Sun God and describes similar rituals.

Tripura Tribal Areas and Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the TATA STRIVE, and the Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL) for the establishment of a Hospitality Skill Development Centre of Excellence in Khumulwng.TATA Strive’s COO, Ameya Vanjari, MP of East Tripura constituency Kriti Singh Debbarma, TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Deb Burman and officials of the TTAADC were present in the MoU signing.Speaking about the significant development, MP Kriti Singh Debbarma said, “This proposed world-class hospitality training centre will undoubtedly open several avenues for our talented youngsters and will also encourage others to establish similar centres to meet the needs of our state.”Meanwhile, TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Deb Burman said, “Through this MoU, annually at least 250 youths including both boys and girls will be provided with skill in hospitality sector.”“This is to ensure proper employment and proper platform for the unemployed youths of ADC,” he said, adding that the tie up with TATA group will definitely help the youths of Tripura to progress, proper platform and better source of income.He said, “If we have to develop our state we have to first develop our youth and if we develop our youths we have to forget politics. We have to think about better tomorrow.”

The BJP-led coalition government in Tripura on Wednesday announced 5% DA/DR for the government employees and pensioners.Briefing the cabinet decision on Wednesday, minister Sushanta Chowdhury said that the cabinet meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, has decided 5% DA/DR for the employees and the pensioners as part of a Diwali gift for them.He said that the Chief Minister is focused on reducing the gap of DA/DR with that of the Central government, following which the 5% DA/DR was announced. With the payment of 5% DA/DR, state govt employees will get 30% against the 53% DA/DR of central govt employees, he said.Meanwhile, while briefing about other decisions taken in the cabinet meeting, the minister said that the cabinet has decided to increase the ration money of TSR jawans from Rs 1000 to Rs 2000, while for uniform the money has been increased from Rs 10000 to Rs 12000. He also said that the government has decided to set up gymnasiums in each TSR battalion in the state at the cost of Rs 5 lakh for each gymnasium.The government has also decided to increase the monthly honorarium of the doctors in the TSR battalions to Rs 60000, he told reporters, adding that the government has also decided to arrange promotion of at least 240 TSR jawans on ad-hoc basis.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Tuesday inaugurated the state level observance of 9th Ayurveda Day here in a function at Agartala Pragna Bhavan and said that the people of the state are gaining trust on Ayurvedic treatment.Addressing the event, the Chief Minister said that the government working to promote Ayurveda in Tripura. He said, “Ayurveda treatment is the ancient medical care system of our country. The ingredients of Ayurvedic medicine are hidden in nature.”“Along with allopathy, homeopathy treatment, the government has also given equal importance to promote Ayurveda treatment. AYUSH Ministry has been formed in the country to promote Ayurveda treatment,” he said.Highlighting the government’s approach to Ayurveda treatment in the state, the Chief Minister said that recently the State Health Department has approved the purchase of Ayurvedic medicines worth around Rs. 1.5 crore. Ayurvedic Council has also been formed in Tripura, he said, adding that digital system is being introduced to make registration process simple for doctors, as a result, Ayurvedic doctors can easily apply for registration online from now on.He also mentioned the success of Panchakarma treatment system in different parts of the state and said that Ayurvedic medicine is playing an effective role in curing various complex diseases including skin diseases.The Chief Minister also said that the government has a plan to establish Ayurveda and Homeopathy Medical College in Tripura.

A “Blood Donation Camp” was organized by BBC Club at Motorstand  area on Tuesday. Addressing the occasion Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation Dipak Majumder motivated the donors to donate blood to save lives. He also urged the people to come forward and donate blood at regular intervals to meet the demands. Blood donation is a noble cause. I urge and appeal to all citizens to come forward and donate blood, he added.

He said, responding to the appeal of chief minister Dr. Manik Saha various clubs, social organizations & others have come forward for organizing blood donation camps over the past few months. It reflects the commitment of the people towards social responsibilities, he added.

The Mayor said that blood donation is the noblest donation in the world. Every donation is critical and you can make a lifesaving difference. Standing beside a person in trouble and extending a helping hand is an ideal person. Hundreds of people are losing in the battle of life for a drop of blood every moment, we do not want this in any way. We can save many lives by donating blood. Though many impossible things happen in modern medical science, blood has not been discovered yet. As a result, the patients who need excess blood for some reason, that blood has to be collected from the body of a healthy person. This is why blood donation is considered a great donation, he added.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday chaired a preparatory meeting for the 43^rd Agartala Book Fair, scheduled to begin from January 2 next here at Agartala Hapania International Ground.

During the meeting, held here at Agartala Muktadhara Auditorium on Monday, the Chief Minister pitched to take more initiative in encouraging the youths to read books and said that presently in the age of social media and internet, it is a challenging matter to highlight the importance of books among the younger generation.

He however directed to involve more youths and students in this year’s book fair and urged to purchase more books from the book fair.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of Information and Cultural Affairs department Dr P K Chakraborty said that the theme of the previous year’s 42^nd Agartala Book Fair was ‘Bhavya Bharat’. Total 175 book stalls were set up and 1600 artists from all over the state participated in the program organized on the occasion of the book fair previous year.