Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Saturday said that women are crucial for making ‘Ek Tripura Srestha Tripura’, and Nari Shakti of the 21st century is the foundation of Viksit Bharat.

Dr Saha said this while addressing an event on International Women’s Day organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party Sadar (rural) Mahila Morcha in Bamutia.

“We can see a woman in various roles. Around 50% of the population consists of women. There were many protests against feticide, and we are working legally to stop such practices, which have significantly decreased. In many rural villages of our country, people used to abort a human embryo upon discovering it was a baby girl. However, after enacting laws, this practice was stopped. We must maintain ecological balance and ensure gender balance between men and women. In this direction, PM Modi and our government are working,” he said.

He further stated, “Naari Shakti is the foundation of a Viksit Bharat in the 21st century. The first step towards the development of society and the country begins with respecting women. Therefore, today, to build Viksit Bharat, India is moving forward on the path of women-led development under the vision of our esteemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

Dr Saha also emphasized that no girl should be married before the age of 18.

“We should work to stop such practices. Without women, we cannot even exist. If a woman can manage a household, why can't she look after a locality or society? Today, women can do everything. Girls from Tripura are now flying airplanes and working as loco pilots in trains. Women are engineers, doctors, and more. Without women, a house is not beautiful. In the BJP, the strongest pillar of power is women. They are the strength of the party, which is why the BJP Mahila Morcha was formed. Our state government has been working for women. We have ensured 33% reservation for them. We must stand against crimes against women. In the 2023 elections, we were confident that when women stand with us, the BJP will form the government—and that is exactly what happened. Women are crucial for making Ek Tripura Srestha Tripura. We are working to provide protection to women. We have also introduced Pink Toilets for them,” he added.

During the event, BJP Pradesh President and MP Rajib Bhattacharya, Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, MP Kriti Singh Debbarma, BJP Mahila Morcha President Mimi Majumder and Padma Shri awardees Dipa Karmakar and Smriti Rekha Chakma were present.