Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on Monday, 29 June praised Tripura's Child Care Institute (CCI) model as a benchmark worth replicating across India, describing the northeastern state as an emerging leader in the implementation of Central welfare schemes. The remarks came on the second day of her three-day visit to the state.

What the Minister Observed

During her visit, Annapurna Devi toured a Saksham Anganwadi Centre, a Child Care Institution, and the newly constructed Working Women Hostel at Abhoynagar on the outskirts of Agartala. She interacted with children at both facilities, reviewed available infrastructure, and planted a sapling on the institution's premises. She also handed over a cheque of ₹50,000 to a beneficiary of the Saksham Anganwadi Centre under the Mukhyamantri Balika Samriddhi Yojana.

The Minister said the environment created in Tripura for the safety, care, education, and holistic development of children was 'exemplary' and committed to raising the matter at the Central level to encourage wider adoption of the model.

Key Commitments and Policy Priorities

Annapurna Devi reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to achieving a Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (Child Marriage-Free India), noting that an officer has been deputed in every Gram Panchayat to monitor child marriage-related issues. She described a growing trend of young girls voluntarily reporting child marriage cases as an encouraging sign of rising awareness.

The Minister also highlighted that the Central government has launched an initiative to develop child-marriage-free villages across the country. Describing child marriage and drug abuse as serious social evils, she called for intensified awareness campaigns at the community level.

Northeast Development and Connectivity

Annapurna Devi acknowledged that the northeastern states had remained largely isolated from the country's mainland for decades, with limited development reaching the region. She said that over the past 12 years, road, rail, and air connectivity across the Northeast has improved significantly under the current Central government's leadership.

She noted that Union Ministers have been directed to regularly visit northeastern states to monitor the implementation of development projects and welfare schemes — a signal of the Centre's stated commitment to the region.

Working Women Hostels and Welfare Infrastructure

The Minister informed that construction of 10 Working Women Hostels is currently underway in Tripura with financial assistance from the Central government. She also reviewed schemes being implemented by the state's Social Welfare and Social Education Department, attended by Tripura Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy and senior officials from both the Central and state governments.

Annapurna Devi also visited the One Stop Centre in Udaipur, Gomati district, after offering prayers at the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple, where she reviewed facilities and interacted with officials.

Broader Vision: Viksit Bharat 2047

Framing the visit within the government's long-term agenda, the Minister said the Ministry of Women and Child Development is continuously strengthening India's child welfare system in line with the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. She stressed that skill development — beyond formal education — is central to empowering children and young people. 'Only when these opportunities reach the people for whom they are meant will the state and the nation move forward,' she said. The best practices from Tripura are expected to be shared with other states in the coming period.