Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday, 14 August invoked the Tricolour as a living emblem of the nation's sovereignty, glory, patriotism, and selflessness, calling on citizens to uphold the dignity of the national flag. He was addressing the Har Ghar Tiranga Rally and Partition Horrors Remembrance Day programme at Maharaja Bir Bikram College in Agartala.

Remembering Partition's Human Cost

Saha underscored the devastating human toll of the Partition of 1947, noting that lakhs of people from Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim communities were forced to cross borders under extreme hardship, triggering communal unrest and widespread suffering. 'We should not forget such things. Due to Partition, many people faced severe problems and suffered,' he said.

He pointed out that the present generation had not witnessed those horrors firsthand, making it imperative to educate young people about that chapter of history. 'To pay respect to those who suffered during that period, Partition Horrors Remembrance Day has been observed since 2021,' Saha noted, stressing that awareness is the surest safeguard against repetition.

Har Ghar Tiranga: Five Years of National Pride

Now in its fifth consecutive year, the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign — launched at the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — has, according to Saha, sparked a visible wave of enthusiasm across the country, encouraging millions to hoist the national flag at their homes. 'When he gave the call, a wave of enthusiasm could be seen across the country,' Saha said.

He described the campaign as a vital thread binding citizens emotionally to the Tricolour and to the memory of freedom fighters who made the supreme sacrifice. A series of related programmes has been organised across Tripura from 9 August to 17 August as part of this year's campaign.

Tripura's Development Roadmap

Saha also situated the rally within a broader developmental vision, referencing Prime Minister Modi's goal of making India a Viksit Bharat by 2047. He said Tripura had prepared its own roadmap in pursuit of becoming a 'Viksit State' and had ranked fifth in the country in this regard, though he did not specify the index or assessment framework behind the ranking.

'First, development is important. If we remain united and strengthen ourselves, both the state and the country will progress further,' Saha said, urging citizens to work collectively for Tripura's and the nation's advancement.

The Flag as More Than Cloth

The Chief Minister was emphatic that the national flag transcends its physical form. 'Our national flag is not merely a piece of cloth or just three colours. We must understand its greatness and importance,' he said. He called on every citizen to carry forward values of patriotism, unity, and national responsibility to future generations, ensuring the sacrifices of freedom fighters are never forgotten.

As India approaches its Independence Day on 15 August, Saha's address sets the tone for a week of civic commemoration in Tripura, with the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign serving as both a patriotic gesture and a reminder of the price paid for freedom.