Tripura CM Manik Saha invokes Deendayal Upadhyaya's 'Antyodaya' vision on birth anniversary
Synopsis
On Deendayal Upadhyaya's birth anniversary, Tripura CM Manik Saha used a state-level event in Agartala to argue that 'Antyodaya' and 'Ekatma Manavtavad' are not merely historical concepts but the living blueprint behind current Central and state development policy — directly connecting Upadhyaya's philosophy to Modi's 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' framework.
Key Takeaways
Tripura CM Manik Saha addressed a state-level event at Muktadhara Auditorium, Agartala on 25 September marking Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's birth anniversary.
Saha described 'Ekatma Manavtavad' as a framework for balanced development of body, mind, intellect and soul, and the individual's relationship with society and nature.
He linked 'Antyodaya' — upliftment of the last person in society — to the Centre's 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas' mission under PM Narendra Modi .
Saha called Upadhyaya a 'great preserver of Indian culture, social system and philosophy' , not just a political figure.
The event was organised by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department of the Tripura government and attended by senior officials and MLAs.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday, 25 September 2026, declared that Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's twin philosophical pillars — 'Ekatma Manavtavad' (Integral Humanism) and 'Antyodaya' (upliftment of the last person) — remain deeply relevant to India's development agenda today. Saha made the remarks at a state-level function organised at Muktadhara Auditorium in Agartala to mark Upadhyaya's birth anniversary.
Occasion and Setting
The event was organised by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department of the Tripura state government. Senior officials, public representatives, and cultural figures attended, including Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar, MLA Meena Rani Sarkar, MLA Subrata Chakraborty, Bimbisar Bhattacharya (Vice Chairman of the State-Level Cultural Advisory Committee), and the Director of the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs.
What Ekatma Manavtavad Stands For
Chief Minister Saha elaborated on the core tenets of 'Ekatma Manavtavad', describing it as a framework for the balanced development of the body, mind, intellect and soul of an individual. He stressed that the philosophy also underscores the mutual and spiritual relationship between the individual, society, nature, and the Supreme. 'One of the main thoughts of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was to bring smiles to the faces of the people at the bottom of society and include them in the mainstream of development. Keeping his ideals in mind, the state government is working to ensure the development of all,' Saha said.
The Antyodaya Principle and Its Policy Connection
On the concept of 'Antyodaya', Saha said its central objective is to ensure that the fruits of development reach the poorest and most marginalised. He drew a direct link to the Centre's overarching development framework under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing the guiding slogan 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas' as a practical expression of that principle. The Chief Minister noted this philosophy is reflected in government initiatives covering food security, healthcare, housing, and drinking water access for ordinary citizens.
A Call to Integrate Philosophy Into Governance
Saha also characterised Upadhyaya as far more than a political figure — calling him a 'great preserver and bearer of Indian culture, social system and philosophy.' He argued that no nation can become strong if any section of its society remains weak or neglected. 'Just as an injury to one part of the body affects the whole body, similarly, the backwardness of any section of society affects the entire society. Therefore, balanced and integrated development of every section of society is necessary,' he said, attributing the idea directly to Upadhyaya's philosophical framework.
Message for the Youth
The Chief Minister urged the new generation to engage with Upadhyaya's life, values, and thought, saying this would help young people draw inspiration and actively contribute to nation-building. The sentiment reflects a broader Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) effort to institutionalise Upadhyaya's legacy as a foundational ideological reference point. Notably, Upadhyaya's birth anniversary — 25 September — is observed annually by BJP-governed states with formal commemorations, underlining the party's effort to root current governance narratives in his philosophy.
Point of View
Sabka Vikas', the BJP creates a continuous ideological lineage from its founding thinker to Modi's third term. What the speech does not address is how Tripura — one of India's less economically developed states — is specifically measuring delivery against Upadhyaya's 'last person' standard. Philosophical invocation without accountability metrics risks reducing a substantive concept to ceremonial currency.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and why is he significant?
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was a philosopher, economist and political leader who formulated 'Ekatma Manavtavad' (Integral Humanism) and championed 'Antyodaya', the principle of prioritising the welfare of the most marginalised in society. He is regarded as a foundational ideological figure of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its predecessor, the Jana Sangh.
What is 'Ekatma Manavtavad' or Integral Humanism?
'Ekatma Manavtavad', or Integral Humanism, is Upadhyaya's philosophical framework advocating the balanced development of an individual's body, mind, intellect and soul. It also emphasises the interconnected relationship between the individual, society, nature and the divine, rejecting both pure capitalism and communism in favour of a holistic Indian approach.
What is 'Antyodaya' and how is it applied in government policy?
'Antyodaya' literally means 'rise of the last person' and refers to prioritising development so that its benefits reach the poorest and most backward sections first. Tripura CM Manik Saha linked this concept to the Central government's 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' framework, citing welfare initiatives in food, healthcare, housing and drinking water.
Why did Tripura hold a state event for Deendayal Upadhyaya's birth anniversary?
The Tripura state government, led by the BJP's Manik Saha, organised a formal commemoration at Muktadhara Auditorium in Agartala through its Information and Cultural Affairs Department. BJP-governed states regularly mark Upadhyaya's birth anniversary — 25 September — as part of the party's effort to keep his philosophy central to its governance narrative.
What message did CM Manik Saha give to the youth at the event?
Chief Minister Saha urged young people to study Upadhyaya's life, values and thought, saying it would inspire them to contribute actively to nation and society building. He argued that familiarity with Upadhyaya's ideals is essential for the next generation to understand India's developmental and cultural ethos.
