Agartala, Aug 14 — Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday said the Tricolour symbolises the country’s sovereignty, glory, statesmanship, consciousness, patriotism and selflessness, and urged people to uphold the national flag's dignity and respect.
While addressing the Har Ghar Tiranga Rally and Partition Horrors Remembrance Day programme at Maharaja Bir Bikram College, the Chief Minister said many people lost their lives, women faced immense difficulties, and children went missing during Partition. “We should not forget such things. Due to Partition, many people faced severe problems and suffered,” he said.
Saha noted that following the Partition of 1947, lakhs of people belonging to the Hindu, Sikh and Muslim communities crossed borders and came to India, facing immense hardships. The Partition also led to unrest, communal clashes and several other problems. “To pay respect to those who suffered during that period, Partition Horrors Remembrance Day has been observed since 2021,” he said.
He added that people often do not think about the country in their daily lives. Still, whenever a foreign enemy attacks or the country faces a crisis, everyone realises the nation's importance. “Country is first for us. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the people, we started observing Har Ghar Tiranga, and this is the fifth year. When he gave the call, a wave of enthusiasm could be seen across the country, and it also encouraged people to hoist the national flag at their homes,” the Chief Minister said.
Saha said the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign plays an important role in strengthening the emotional bond between citizens and the Tricolour and in paying tribute to the heroes who made supreme sacrifices during the freedom struggle. He emphasised that the present generation had not witnessed the horrors of Partition. Therefore, it was important to make young people aware of the history and suffering of that period so such incidents would never be repeated.
“Our national flag is not merely a piece of cloth or just three colours. We must understand its greatness and importance. First, development is important. If we remain united and strengthen ourselves, both the state and the country will progress further,” Saha said.
He added that the national flag is a matter of pride for every citizen and carries the history of sacrifices made by freedom fighters and martyrs. “Our Tricolour is a symbol of sovereignty, glory, statesmanship, consciousness, patriotism and selflessness. That is why every one of us has to maintain the dignity and respect of our national flag,” he observed.
The Chief Minister also said a series of programmes have been organised across Tripura from August 9 to August 17 as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. “Prime Minister Modi has been giving the call to make India a Viksit Bharat by 2047, and this will be possible only when all the states become Viksit States. For that, we have prepared a roadmap, and Tripura has become fifth in the country,” he said.
Saha urged people to remain united and work collectively for Tripura's and the nation's development and progress. He said respect for the national flag, awareness of the sacrifices made during the freedom struggle, and knowledge of the country’s history should be passed on to future generations so the values of patriotism, unity, and national responsibility remain strong.