Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday said that people of every religion are partners in Tripura’s development journey.
“Unity in diversity is the hallmark of the country and the state. Together for all and development for all is one of the foundations of progress,” said Dr Saha.
The Chief Minister said this while delivering his speech as the chief guest at the inauguration of a loan distribution programme among minorities, initiated by the Tripura Minority Cooperative Development Limited at Pragya Bhavan in Agartala on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working towards the development of religious minorities in the country in various fields, including education, health, financial self-reliance, women’s empowerment, and security.
“The state government also wants to earn the trust and confidence of all religious minority communities in the state by working in that direction. It is important to remember that good work with transparency is one of the ways to earn trust. The government is trying to bring realistic and positive changes for minorities. In several countries bordering India, there is no socio-economic security system for women, but today socio-economic security has been established for minority women in our country,” he said.
He said that an educated daughter means a strong family. Therefore, the government is committed to ensuring the safety and empowerment of minority women.
“Every religion is respected and given dignity by the government. If there is unity among different religions and ethnic groups, a peaceful environment is maintained in the country and the state, paving the way for self-confidence and self-reliance among people. Government assistance or a loan can change the future of a person and their family and lead them towards self-reliance. This creates an atmosphere of confidence among others in society,” said Dr Saha.
Dr Saha further said that for faster socio-economic development of people belonging to minority communities in the state, the state government has sent a proposal to the central government seeking approval for various projects worth Rs 322 crore.
At the event, the Chief Minister formally handed over loan cheques for higher education and business purposes to beneficiaries from minority communities.
Today, the Minority Cooperative Development Corporation arranged loans amounting to Rs 64 lakh 93 thousand for 28 minority beneficiaries.
The event was attended by Minority Welfare Minister Shuklacharan Noatia, Tripura Minority Cooperative Development Corporation Chairman Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Tripura Waqf Board Chairman Mawswar Ali, Tripura State Haj Committee Chairman Shah Alam, and former minister Billal Miah and Special Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department Nirmal Adhikari were present.