Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Wednesday the state would organise a Jatra Utsav, adding that the BJP-led government was working to preserve tradition, culture and heritage, “unlike” its predecessor.
“We talked about the old traditions that are slowly getting lost… We have organised a Kirtan Sammelan. So we decided to conduct a Jatra Utsav,” he said at Vivekananda Sardha-Satabarshiki Bhavan in Dharmanagar of North Tripura district.
The chief minister also launched or laid foundation stones for 45 development projects for the district. “PM Modi means development and we are working for overall development. Jatra means a good journey and I express my gratitude to the ICA (information and cultural affairs) department for preserving the old culture, tradition and heritage. With the advent of technology, people have started forgetting old cultures—putul khela (playing with dolls), jatra and theatre performance. So we have decided to preserve these, unlike the previous government,” the BJP leader said.
Jatrapala is a popular form of traditional Bengali folk theatre—a vibrant blend of storytelling, music and dance often performed in open-air arenas.
Saha further said the state and its environment had become polluted during the 35 years of Left Front rule and that “they are now competing with NOTA in elections”, apparently referring to the Opposition parties.
A few days ago, the government organised a Basanta Utsav.
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