BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 12th December 2025: Kailashahar, known as the cultural heart of Tripura, is witnessing a painful decline of one of its most cherished memories. The marble bust of renowned poet Himadri Nandan Deb, whose verses continue to enchant audiences across the state, now stands as a symbol of neglect, its broken face surrounded by weeds and administrative indifference.
Eight years ago, under the cover of darkness, vandals shattered the bust’s face at Kaziargaon municipal area. Residents believed that such a shameful act would prompt swift restoration. Yet, despite repeated assurances, no action has been taken.
During last year’s Atal Smriti Sahitya Utsav, poet Ashok Deb raised the issue at the preparatory committee meeting, demanding immediate reconstruction of the bust in a city that prides itself on literature. Responsibility was reportedly handed to the municipal council, while members of Samskar Bharati also pledged to take initiative. But the promises remained on paper. The bust has stood faceless for eight long years, an undeniable testimony to administrative failure.
A visit to the site today reveals a heartbreaking scene: weeds sprouting from the damaged bust, mocking the authorities’ inaction. For the culturally conscious citizens of Kailashahar, this neglect is nothing short of humiliation.
Every year, on the poet’s death anniversary, locals and members of Yuva Samaj Club pay homage before the broken bust. Yet the administration remains unmoved. The club had originally installed the bust in 2010, shortly after Deb’s passing, with the inauguration led by Ramkrishna College principal Ratish Majumdar. The people have shown their love and respect for culture and for the poet, but the question remains: does the administration share that respect?
As frustration grows, voices of protest are now rising on social media. Many have written: “No more neglect. Rebuild the poet’s bust without delay.”
