Agartala, 8th October 2026 : Every person gets 86,400 seconds each day, and how those seconds are utilised can shape the future, SC Welfare Minister Sudhangshu Das said on Thursday while urging students to stay focused on education, acquire skills and avoid wasting valuable time on excessive social-media use.
Das was addressing an award ceremony organised by the Scheduled Caste Welfare Department at Nazrul Kalakshetra, Agartala, to recognise meritorious students from the Scheduled Caste community. Students securing positions among the top ten in the 2026 Madhyamik and Higher Secondary examinations conducted by the Tripura Board of Secondary Education were presented the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Gold Medal and merit awards. Students from West Tripura district who passed their Class VI to IX examinations in the First Division were also honoured.
Emphasising the transformative power of education, Das said knowledge removes the darkness of ignorance and urged students to maintain a positive attitude towards one another. He cautioned the awardees against becoming satisfied with their present achievements, pointing out that greater competition at higher levels would require sustained effort.
Referring to the life of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the Minister recalled the discrimination he faced during his childhood and said his determination to pursue education enabled him to overcome social barriers and achieve distinction in several fields. “We respect Dr B.R. Ambedkar not because of his birth, but because of his deeds,” Das said.
He encouraged students to look beyond government employment and develop practical and professional skills to become self-reliant. Referring to the National Education Policy 2020, he highlighted the growing emphasis on skill development alongside formal education.
Das also outlined scholarship and financial assistance available to eligible SC students pursuing professional and medical courses. He said the department provides various scholarships, grants and hostel assistance, while a proposal to raise the family-income ceiling for certain benefits from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh is under consideration.
He urged students to regard the present period of their lives as a “golden time” and make every effort to build a meaningful and accomplished future.
