Homchang, Agartala (2025)

29/06/2025

Once, not very long ago, before the bridges were built and the cities rose and the rivers were renamed, a people stood on the banks of a river called Saidra. They did not call it Haora. They called it by a name that came not from survey maps, not from the pens of colonial officers, not from the tidy bureaucracy of Gazetteers, but from tongues that spoke in Kokborok, from songs sung by old women in bamboo houses, from prayers whispered into the river by barefooted children who had not yet learned shame.

Saidra. That name was not just a name. It was a vessel of memory. A river that remembered the footsteps of the kings, the footsteps of the commoners, the river that knew when to swell and when to shrink, the river that bent and curved not for roads or real estate, but for the trees and the stones and the spirits that lived along her banks. And then one day, she was told she would be Haora. just like that.

The renaming of Saidra did not happen with ceremony. No trumpet blew. No assembly gathered. No one asked the river if she consented to be baptized anew. It happened in the silent way that colonization always happens, quietly, bureaucratically, with the impersonal ink of government files and state tongues.

They called it “standardization and progress.” They always do. They built new schools. Taught children to say “Haora.” They buried Saidra in the footnotes of forgotten textbooks and mispronounced histories.

To be Tiprasa in the city of Aguli (Agartala) is to live with the ache of stolen geographies. It is to cross a bridge and feel like you are crossing a wound. It is to walk past a river that still flows, still sings, but no one calls her by her name. It is to feel the weight of erasure, not dramatic, not sudden, but slow and suffocating, like a song you have almost forgotten, but that haunts you in the silence between traffic noises.

A river does not stop being Saidra just because someone renamed her. But a people can forget. Or be taught to.

Guest Column by , Homchang Guest Writer and assistant professor, Maharaja Bir Bikram College

Full article: https://www.homchang.in/articles/69/whats-in-a-name-saidra-and-stolen-geographies

28/06/2025

University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM) announced a 50-special scholarship seats exclusively for students from Tripura across a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

For the outreach USTM organized a workshop in the auditorium of Tripura University, Aguli (Agartala) on Friday titled "Career Opportunities in the Context of NEP-2020" to provide students with insights into the career opportunities emerging from the National Education Policy 2020. USTM will be bearing the financial expenditures to be incurred during the Workshop.

Prof. Arunoday Saha, Former Chairman of the Higher Education Council, Tripura attended the workshop and addressed the students. The other invitees are Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Bibhas Deb VC, a distinguished professor from Maharaja Bir Bikram University, Agartala, Tripura; and Dr Deepak Sharma, Registrar Tripura University, Agartala, Tripura. The workshop was also attended by Hon'ble Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque and Hon'ble Vice Chancellor Prof Gauri Dutt Sharma of the University of Science and Technology.

The University of Science and Technology Faculty representatives will soon be visiting Tripura to have a detailed discussion on how they can host the Workshop.

In a press briefing by the university officials, USTM informed that it has been graded “A” by NAAC has been ranked among the Top 200 Universities of India by NIRF, Govt of India for the last three consecutive years.

It also informed that USTM runs nine schools of study on the University campus including the newly established PA Sangma International Medical College & Hospital. With an enrolment of more than 6,500 students, USTM is providing free and concessional education to 20% of students, 90% are rural students, 38% are tribal students, and 57% are female students.

21/06/2025

Bubagra Pradyot Manikya on Friday hosted a students delegation from the North Eastern Hill University at Tripura Castle, Shillong.

The delegation comprising of masters and Ph.D scholars from Tripura visited met Bubagra Pradyot over lunch and had wide array of discussion. Earlier, Bubagra Pradyot had sent an invitation to interact with the young students studying at the university.

Upon the visit, Bubagra Pradyot wrote on his social post: “Met our students from Northeast hill university and hosted them for lunch. These young boys and girls sometimes are far more focused and united than some of our people who are blinded by differences. It’s this generation which must undo the mistakes of our past.”

“I have agreed to sponsor a Tiprasa food and cultural festival in the NEHU campus in my personal capacity,” Bubagra Pradyot Manikya wrote indicating plans for ahead at NEHU.

Bubagra Pradyot Manikya is expected to meet more students across Tripura and students from Tripura residing outside the state. Recently, he also visited St. Xavier's Higher Secondary School, Pathaliaghat, Bishramgang, Sepahijala meeting students and also donating an amount of Rs. 1 lakh to the Girl's Brass Band. The steps come as an outreach to students and also knowing what the young citizens of Tripura want.

14/06/2025

'No leaders are immune from scrutiny'. This has been the strong echoes of common Tiprasas in the recent turn of events, pertaining to the movement against illegal immigrants in Tripura. The voice acted as an alarm and reminder about the core issues of the Tiprasa community.

Even if there is a possibility of electoral politics being involed, one idea is rendered crystal clear: 'common Tiprasas demand credibility from its leader' and any kind of position or association cannot guarantee immunity. It has raised the bars for Tiprasa activist and politicians, whom commoners have immense expectations from.

Many leaders were subjected to criticism and their commitment were doubted, on their silence or inactivity to organise anti illegal immigrants drive. This has also pushed many leaders to resurface, re-strategize, and upscale their current effort.

This kind of promting by the common Tiprasa people to its leader is a positive side. A community level through-process that emotions can't restrict but is guided by rationality and accountability. This helps the community to keep its leader in check.

While people objected some leader's idleness and appreciated who were constantly showing effors, it was taken in consideration that the unity should not be disrupted. " Tiprasa rok thana si. Chini leader rok si thansa kwrwi tabok". These sort of comments were surfacing, demanding all leaders to unite and collectively work.

It's a tough time for the Tiprasa people made to swallow a pill of irony. While it was the leaders who advocated for unity and now the leaders are showing symptoms of factionalism, contradicting the organisation's theme itself.

However, it is clear from many instances that the common Tiprasa people want unity and their core issues to be consistently on discussion. Their criticism or hate is not rebellion or desire for a new Tiprasa organisation or reverting to the old. But it's a statement that accountability is a must.

14/06/2025

There is something strange about the silence of those who have the power to speak, yet choose to remain quiet when Tiprasa memory is questioned or dismissed.
When someone calls Pradyot Bikram Manikya “Maharaja” (Bubagra in Kokborok), some laugh. Some raise their eyebrows. Some quickly say, “This is a republic. There are no kings here.” But who raises their voice to defend this memory? Not the teachers who shape young minds. Not the writers who hold pens like swords. Not the thinkers and scholars who have platforms to share truth. They remain silent.

Instead, it is the poor, the marginalized, the ones society often overlooks those labelled uneducated or forgotten who stand up and fiercely defend what is ours. This silence is heavy. In Tripura, memory does not follow straight lines or neat timelines. It flows like our rivers—slow, winding, sometimes muddy, but always moving forward. When we say Bubagra, we are not asking for a king to return and rule us. We are remembering.
Remembering a time when power was not just written in laws or papers, but felt in the land beneath our feet. Some people who have recently come here may not fully understand this. Their roots are in other places. Their memories belong to other histories. And that is okay. But sometimes, in their rush to “erasure and modernize,” they forget to pause and listen.

They forget that memory is not a sign of being stuck in the past. It is a form of strength. It takes courage to call someone Bubagra, not because they stand above us, but because they are part of us.

We will still say Bubagra, not because we live in the past, but because we come from it. Because in a world that tries to erase roots and stories, remembering is resistance. In the name of the king, we remember the land. The language. The people. And in a republic, what could be more beautiful than that?

By , Guest Writer and Asst. Professor, MBB College

🔗Full article link to Homchang website: Check out this article: https://www.homchang.in/articles/68/silence-of-the-lambs-collective-memory-in-a-name-bubagra

13/06/2025

A recent release of the TBSE Class 10 examination toppers highlights the emergence of Tiprasa Amchai areas like the Tipprah Academy School, Dukhwa Academy, Barakathal.

In a first for the school, Korinili Debbarma secured the top 8th position in TBSE Class 10 examination. She scored 482 out of 500 making it a 96.4%. Korinili is a student of Tipprah Academy situated at the Dukhwa Valley (Uatlok Twithu), Hezamara Block, West Tripura. While the school is relatively in a rural Tiprasa area, it also give a glimpse into the emergence of schools.

In the school own words, Tipprah Academy, Dukhwa Valley, Barakathal, West Tripura was established in 1992 and managed by the Pvt. Unaided (Unit of the Sadar North Baptist Association). At present Rev. Mithun Rupini is the principal of the school and it has a school management committee mainly local consisting of the local church leaders.

In the school 33-years of history, this is the first time a student have made it to the state board examination Top 10 rank. This points to the potential that English Medium situated in Tiprasa areas hold for the coming times. There is surely need for holistic outreach and education infrastructure development from school, college, to examination centers.

Barakathal (Uatlok Twithu) where the Tipprah Academy is situated also have other higher secondary school Barakathalia H.S.S and Our Lady of Holy Cross in the adjoining area. The aspiring municipal although without an official tag is situated in the crossroads of several Sadar areas like Lefunga, Abhicharan, Hezamara, Mohanpur, Yacharai, and Sonai (Hachwk).

While Tipprah Academy beating the odds came to the forefront, the recent achievement is a reminder to keep improving the ecosystem for education in Tiprasa areas.

12/06/2025

There is a growing demand to push back illegal immigrants particularly illegal Bangladeshis from Tripura in the recent weeks. As the Ministry of Home Affairs 30-days timeline notice of May 19, 2025 directs states to form Special Task Force to identify, detain and deport suspected immigrants from the country.

Tripura sharing a long border with Bangladesh and with many vulnerable entry points faces illegal infiltration of illegal Bangladeshis. Local citizens are now demanding the Tripura Government to take more strong action and implement the MHA directives.

The state major regional parties like Tipra M***a Party along with its frontal organizations have been active in bringing the illegal Bangladeshis infiltration issue to light. On June 12, 2025 the Youth Tipra Federation submitted a memorandum to the local administration of Jirania subdivision (West Tripura) to take swift action against any intruders in its area.

At the same time, the YTF have carried out rally at places like Lembucherra (Jammilwng), Dasda Kanchanpur, Mohanpur, Lefunga, Khowai, and Kamalpur. Tipra M***a Party frontal organization like the YTF have also brought out a 24/7 helpline to report on any suspicious movement and incident relating to illegal immigrants infiltration in to Tripura.

Prominently, Bubagra Pradyot Manikya have stated that citizens should remain vigilant to deter any infiltration and settlement of illegal Bangladeshis into Tripura. It has also asks all organizations particularly civil societies and pressure groups to work united to push back illegal immigrants from Tripura.

Tipra M***a Ranjit Debbarma representing the Ramchandraghat Constituency is one of the most vocal public representative against illegal immigrants. Consistently writing to all concerned administration and authorities, Debbarma have also sought the Ministry of Home Affairs to directly intervene in tackling the Tripura Bangladeshis infiltration and settlement issues in many areas.

The issue of illegal immigrants particularly from Bangladesh is coming to a high point with pressure from civil societies, students organizations, and political parties mounting over the government.

12/06/2025

In view of the current cross-border dynamics and Tripura's long term socio-political issue, a foolproof and robust apparatus is requisite for the TTAADC administration to cement its territory against illegal encroachment, immigration and consolidate its demographic integrity for the interest of all indigenous communities.

A way to achieve it is to form a dedicated (permanent) standing committee consisting of the elected members of the council, goverment officers and retired bureaucrats or social activist, headed by an EM, similiar to the various existing parliamentary committees at national level. It consists of the opposition members also.

The standing committee of TTAADC can be tasked with keeping a vigil, collection of ground data and intel on a regular basis, take timely action against illegal immigrants, encroachments or any threat to the demographic integrity of the TTAADC area, by reporting it to the administration, government agencies and pressuring for action if there is any reluctance.

TTAADC administration has an unfortunate perception attached to itself, that it is inefficient or rather idle. The negative light stems from the budget constraints TTAADC has. That is a fact. But there needs to be a solution where the resources and power can be optimised for the best results. The standing committee is one such approach.

The rhetorics of pushing back illegal immigrants dominates Tiprasa discourses but rhetorics unfortunately only serves to appeal and temporarily console the ill-informed emotions. Preserving the demographic integrity of TTAADC is a grave necessity as it is the last line of constitutional safeguard. But stirring speeches and recycled slogans do little to confront the reality on the ground

Forming such a standing committee by passing a resolution in the TTAADC also provides legitimacy, credibility by channeling responsibility to a dedicated action oriented efforts against illegal immigration or encroachment in TTAADC. It can serve as a tough immunity in case there is any population or demographic engineering in the areas under TTAADC's administration.

This arrangement can act as TTAADC'S own version of the Inner Line Permit (ILP). It may not have the provision to legally prevent entry. But it can investigate and uncover who are already inside and establish public, administrative and political pressure to take action. Above all, it sends a message that "We are watching, we are recording and we will respond."

It's time for not only relying on slogans but to institutionalize resistance. The committee of dedicated EM, MDCs, officers, social activists can capitalise on the network, support base and concerns of many students, youth organisations and civil societies to detect illegal immigration and crack down on the links and local support of the illegal settlers.

Advocacy by Homchang Board (R. Borok)

05/06/2025

Thirteen Bangladesh nationals on Wednesday were apprehended by Tripura Police froma rented house in Hapania area, Aguli (Agartala). The arrest comes after a tip-off to local police of the presence of suspicious residing in the area.

Following the alert, Tripura Police took swift action detaining all the thirteen individuals and all also for questioning at the Amtali Police Station. Upon interrogation it has been reported the group crossed over to India without valid documents via Raishyabari in Dhalai District.

The arrested individuals were identified as: Aoj Chakma (30), Dravid Chakma (24), Ramen Chakma (24), Mik Chakma (28),Thuithui Moh (23), Angla Mog (35), Rumel Chakma (37), Nirbhoy Chakma (27), Choice Chakma (21), Bitu Chakma (17), Kimon Chakma (22), Purna Chakma (24) and Nayanchi Mog (21).

It has been reported that the thirteen arrested individuals came over to seek medical treatment following a violent clash among groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. The individuals are reportedly from are reportedly affiliated with the outfit Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS).

The outfit PCJSS, which is claimed to be a left-wing political party had it's armed wing, the Shanti Bahini that was involved in an armed movement against Bangladesh government force in the Chittagong Hill Tracts until 1997.

All the detained individuals are now in the custody of the Mobile Task Force (MTF), the unit responsible for vigilance against illegal immigrants. Soon, the individuals will be handed over to the Bangladeshi authority.

Recently, as the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has set a deadline of 30-days to all the states and union territories to to verify the credentials of persons suspected to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Subsequently after the 30-day period, if valid documents are not provided, those detained are to face deportation.

Tripura sharing a long border with Bangladesh has seen the infiltration of illegal Bangladeshis over time. The citizens and civil societies of Tripura are now pressurizing government to clamp down on Bangladeshis living illegally and facilitators in the state.

01/06/2025

When it comes to unique cultural marker among the Indigenous communities of Northeast India; dormitory is one of the things. One must have come across the morung of the Nagas, Zawlbuk of the Mizos, Nokpanti among Garos, or Nedrong or Nodrong among Dimasa Kacharis. This is a recurring tangible cultural institutions for many Indigenous tribes. Now what about the Tipra (Tiprasa); did a dormitory system exist and if it did how did it function? Relating to the question; let's discuss the case of Jainok: the forgotten dormitory.

What is a Jainok? Let us do an exercise, take a pen and a paper and write down what a Jainok can be? Ask these questions to yourself, have you ever heard of this word? What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you read/hear the word Jainok? After noting down, keep your answer sheet with you and see if your answer matches with the meaning of Jainok.

Jainok translates to Tipra Youth Dormitory which is integral to Tipra youth identity. A youth dormitory is a traditional communal living space typically designated for young unmarried boys or girls in certain Indigenous or tribal communities. These dormitories are not just places to sleep but serve as important social, educational, and cultural institutions. They function as spaces where youths are taught the customs, values, oral histories, songs, dances, rituals, and survival skills of the community by elders or older peers.

Among the Tipra people, this traditional dormitory is known as the Jainok. It served as a communal space where village youth would gather to learn essential life skills and cultural practices. Within the Jainok, they were taught Uama (bamboo craftsmanship), Tiprabarok (a distinct Tipra singing style, often resembling the tone of Jadukoli), and Jadukolija (a genre of love songs). It was also a place where young people learned about community life, social values, taboos, folktales, and Huk (multicrop Cultivation), and the spirit of mutual help and cooperation that binds the community together. In essence, the Jainok was more than a dormitory.

Read the full Column by Nakhrai Debbarma, Homchang Guest Writer on website

Full article link: https://www.homchang.in/articles/66/jainok-the-tipra-youth-dormitory-through-oral-history

26/05/2025

In another world—just a few miles away from this one, but with different terms of justice—Sukhurai is not a forest forager. He does not walk the muddy tracks at dawn to cut broomsticks before the sun gets too sharp. He teaches botany. He lives in a house with books, not bamboo poles tied with blue plastic strings.

And Yalwkti, his wife—not just a housewife, not just a gatherer of firewood and a collector of leftover dreams—is a nurse, a midwife, a healer. Not because she escaped the village, but because she stayed and transformed it.

In this other world, they still live on the hilltop, but the hilltop has water. The children still speak Kokborok—but now it is a language with community chosen script that shows up in exams, in hospitals, in textbooks, and in laws. Not just lullabies.

Evenings in that world are lit not just by kerosene lanterns or solar panels, but by peace. By the knowledge that there is food tomorrow. By the confidence that sickness will not end in bankruptcy. By the possibility that their children may not have to learn how to survive before they even learn how to read.

But we do not live in that world.

Not yet.

We live here—in the shadow of Chamung (food), Kanmung (clothing), and Nukhung (shelter). The holy trinity of survival. Basic needs, reduced to bargaining chips.

In this world, survival is not a right. It is a reward for obedience. Obey the government, obey the middleman, obey the contractor, obey the state. Stay invisible, and maybe you will eat. Speak out, and watch your name disappear from the job list. The ration list. The voters' list. And so, the working class—the backbone of the Tiprasa people—is bent. Bent not by fate, but by design.

Read the full column by guest writer
at Homchang website
Link: https://www.homchang.in/articles/65/the-dream-beyond-survival-can-tiprasa-like-sukhurai-and-yalwkti-afford-to-dream

24/05/2025

The Sahitya Akademi on Saturday organised “Literary Forum : Contemporary Oral Literature of Chakma, Kokborok, Lushai and Mog Languages”; and “Multilingual Poetry Readings” at the North East Centre for Oral Literature Auditorium, Nazrul Kalakshetra, Aguli (Agartala).

The event saw the coming together of Sahitya Akademi top officials like Dr. Madhab Kaushik, President,
Dr. K. Srinivasrao. Secretary, and Kshetrabasi Nayek, Regional Secretary in-charge. Also, including prominent figure like Prof Streamlet Dkhar was part of the delegation.

Following the event and discussion; eminent Kokborok literary figure and Sahitya Akademi General Council Member Bikash Roy Debbarma said: “We are looking forward to the publication of a good number of books very shortly.”

“We are thankful to the President and Secretary of Sahitya Akademi for the successful meeting as well as for showing keen interest towards the documentation of North East India, and Tripura in particular,” Mr Debbarma added.

The event as part of the Literary Forum on Contemporary Oral Literature of multiple languages saw poets and writers from each language.

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