As India and Bangladesh gear up to celebrate December 16 marked as Vijay Diwas for the South Asian nation, elaborate preparations are on even in the small northeastern state of Tripura. An emotional Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her trip Agartala in 2012 had recalled the immense contribution of the people of the northeatern state.
"If Bangladesh is India-locked, Tripura is Bangladesh-locked - goes an adage in the region," a study by the Observer Research Foundation noted.
India-Bangladesh relations have typically been driven by an overpowering narrative that emphasizes the commonalities between the people of West Bengal and the South Asian nation. True the two share common culture, language and food habits but the role of other states including that of Tripura, that is almost tucked within Bangladesh, cannot be ignored.
"About 84 per cent of the state's border is actually with Bangladesh and Tripura had also a significant contribution in the 197 Liberation War," Ashish Nath Professor, Department of Economics, Tripura University told India Narrative.
The state government and the Government of Bangladesh have lined up several events and functions to mark the day. Dhaka has also proposed to set up a Bangabandhu Centre in Tripura University.
Nath said that during the war, the state government of Tripura opened its door to lakhs of refugees coming from the erstwhile East Pakistan- now Bangladesh. The state government provided "all kinds of support to the helpless refugees."
Another analyst said that notwithstanding the political contours that drive New Delhi and Dhaka and the occasional ups and downs, the people of Tripura and Bangladesh have continued to maintain a strong bond. "The people living on both sides of the border have the same life, problems and livelihood..there are talks of increasing people to people contact but here we have always seen a continuation of that tradition," he said.
Small wonder therefore that Seemin Hossain Rimi, member of Bangladesh Parliament and daughter of Tajuddin Ahmad, the country's first prime minister, visited Tripura just a few days ago. Regarded as one of the architects of Bangladesh, Ahmad, as the Prime Minister, had led the country's Provisional Government during the Liberation War in 1971.
New agency PTI said that Rimi who "along with her family escaped to Tripura after a murderous military crackdown during the 1971 war for the liberation of Bangladesh, has made the journey back to thank the people of the tiny northeastern state."
The news agency further noted that Sonamura, a small town bordering the Comilla district of Bangladesh sheltered thousands of refugees from Bangladesh. Not just that, during the war it also "housed a training camp for Mukti Bahini (Free Bangladesh forces) as well as a makeshift hospital for them."
During her visit Hasina said, "Our freedom-fighters also received training and support on this side of the border, and eventually fought with our Indian friends to the final surrender of the occupation forces and liberation of Bangladesh on 16 December 1971. How can we not remember with gratitude our friends in need in Tripura and India?"
Congress wants to snatch reservation from backward classes and give it to Muslims: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged that the Congress wants to bring a legislation to snatch reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Backward Classes (BCs) and give them to Muslims.
Embarrassed Congress distances itself from Sam Pitroda's remarks, calls it 'unacceptable'
Hours after Congress leader Sam Pitroda's remark on the 'colour of citizens' stirred a major controversy and left the party red-faced, the latter got into a damage control mode and issued a clarification.
Furious over Pitroda's 'racist' comment, PM Modi says it is now clear why Cong opposed Prez Murmu's candidature
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed the Congress party and its senior leader Sam Pitroda over the latter's alleged racist remarks, warning that he would not tolerate "such insult on the basis of skin colour" and that any such further comments could harm the unity of the nation.
Environment body writes West DM, demands to maintain depth of the Amrit Sarovar
The Forum for Protection of Environment and Water Bodies of Tripura has written a letter to the West District Magistrate demanding immediate actions to maintain the depth of the Amrit Sarovar near Shalbagan according to the objective enshrined in the guidelines of Amrit Sarovar.
Family files complaint against Muhuri for theft and land document withholding
In a startling development in Mohanpur, a family from Bamutia has filed a formal complaint against Muhuri Babul Chandra Biswas, accusing him of embezzling Rs 4 lakh under the guise of a legal transaction.
Villagers’ stages protest over drilling of ONGC, FIR against four
The Mandabakilla village situated under Bishalgarh sub-division of Tripura’s Sepahijala District is engulfed in tension as clashes intensify between villagers and officials of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
JRBT candidates stages stir demanding results of Group-D Exam
As the days tick by without any update on the results of the Joint Recruitment Board of Tripura (JRBT) Group-D exam, candidates are growing increasingly restless.
SC stays Calcutta HC’s order cancelling school jobs; rebukes Bengal govt for alleged recruitment scam
The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed a Calcutta High Court order, which cancelled 25,753 appointments in teaching and non-teaching posts in the state-run schools made by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016.