Agartala, Jan 26 (NationPress) Tripura's Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu announced on Monday that more than 1.08 lakh women in the state have attained the status of ‘Lakhpati Didis’, positioning Tripura as a national leader in rural women entrepreneurship.

A ‘Lakhpati Didi’ refers to a member of a Self-Help Group (SHG) whose annual household income surpasses Rs 1 lakh.

While hoisting the National Flag at the Republic Day celebrations at the Assam Rifles ground, the Governor emphasized that women empowerment is a key focus for the Tripura government.

To enhance the education of girls from Antyodaya families and combat child marriage, the state has introduced the ‘Mukhyamantri Balika Samriddhi Yojana (MBSY)’. This scheme provides a one-time financial aid of Rs 50,000 to each eligible girl child from Antyodaya families born on or after April 1, 2025.

Benefits will only be extended to two girl children from each Antyodaya family.

Additionally, the ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana’ was launched for 2025-26, offering Rs 50,000 for marriage to women aged 18 and above from Antyodaya families.

Governor Reddy Nallu highlighted Tripura's educational achievements, noting its declaration as a fully literate state on June 23, 2025, making it the third state in India to reach this landmark.

Thanks to the successful execution of the ‘ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) – New India Literacy Programme’, the state’s literacy rate has risen to 95.6 percent, significantly exceeding the national average.

The Governor shared that the proposal to elevate the existing Women’s College to a state university named ‘Tripura Government Women’s University’ has been approved.

Moreover, the process to transform the Tripura Institute of Technology (TIT) into a State Technical University is underway to bolster higher education infrastructure.

A new Women’s College is also set to be established at Nalchar in the Sepahijala district to open up more avenues for female students.

In tourism developments, the Governor reported the inauguration of projects worth Rs 52.04 crore at the historic Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur, under the PRASHAD scheme of the Union Ministry of Tourism.

This temple, constructed in 1501 by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya, is among the 51 Shakti Peethas in India and ranks third in eastern India after the Kalighat temple in Kolkata and the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati.

Governor Reddy Nallu announced that tourism infrastructure projects worth Rs 179.72 crore are being executed under an Externally Aided Project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at various temples and sites.

The Union Ministry of Tourism has also sanctioned Rs 97.70 crore for creating replicas of all 51 Shakti Peethas near the Tripura Sundari Temple as part of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme aimed at enhancing iconic tourist centers.

Regarding infrastructure, the Governor stated that Tripura currently has six National Highways covering a total of 923.31 km, with an additional four National Highways approved, spanning 229.25 km.