BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 15th February 2026: Tribal Welfare Minister, Bikash Debbarma, made an unannounced visit to the Damchhara Tribal Girls’ Hostel today, underlining the state government’s commitment to improving educational facilities for tribal students.
Arriving around 10 a.m. without prior notice, Debbarma inspected the hostel infrastructure and engaged directly with the students. Stressing that quality education extends beyond textbooks, he said, “To truly educate our students, we need modern infrastructure, efficient hostel management, and nutritious meals.”
Officials briefed the minister about ongoing construction of two new hostels, each accommodating 100 boys and 100 girls. Debbarma emphasized that a conducive learning environment is critical for students to focus and achieve their ambitions. “Without a supportive educational atmosphere, students’ concentration suffers, and dreams can be lost. That is why infrastructure development is a priority,” he stated.
Demonstrating hands-on involvement, Debbarma joined students for breakfast in the dining hall, sampling the daily menu of dal, rice, and vegetables, while interacting warmly with them. Observers noted that he appeared more like a fellow student than a government official.
The minister also highlighted improvements in hostel food allocation. He recalled that during the 35-year tenure of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Tripura, students received Rs 40–45 per day for meals. Under the current Bharatiya Janata Party-led government, this allocation has risen to Rs 100 daily.
Debbarma stressed that education should empower tribal students, making them more aware of their rights, while remaining free from political influence. “Education should never be divided along political lines. It must be accessible to all,” he added.
