Agartala, Feb 21: Tripura Literature Festival organized by Uran has brought together a galaxy of luminaries including the first Indian to reach Space, Rakesh Sharma, in Agartala.

The festival commenced on the auspicious occasion of International Mother Language Day at the Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala, marking a grand celebration of literature, culture and linguistic diversity.

The event saw presence of towering figures like Padmashri Shri Gokul Chandra Das, Booker Prize winner Geetanjali Shree, Padma Shri awardee and oncologist, Dr. Ravi Kannan, Padmashri Prof. Arunadoy Saha, Bikach Choudhury, singer Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta, Swami Subhakarananda Maharaj, Rupak Saha, Prof. (Dr) Ratan Saha and several others.

Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha has inaugurated the festival with a unique canvas-filling event where he wrote a word of his choice in mother tongue.

Reflecting on his iconic moment in space, Sharma recounted, “When I said ‘Sarein Jahan Se Achha’ while looking at our country from space, a major reason for that sentiment was the breath-taking view of the Northeast. The lush green landscapes of this region stood out as a testament to India’s natural beauty and diversity. It was a moment of immense pride for me as an Indian.”

Sharma emphasized the importance of the Northeast in India’s cultural and developmental fabric, stating, “One of the greatest pillars of our nation is our belief in unity in diversity, which binds us all together.” Sharma also congratulated the nation on Mother Language Day, highlighting the significance of preserving linguistic heritage.

The Chief Minister expressed his delight at the presence of renowned poets, playwrights, and novelists from across the country. “I never imagined such a program could take place here. When Udaan approached me, I was convinced of its potential to benefit the people. This three-day festival is a celebration of our rich literary and cultural traditions,” he said.

Dr. Saha also paid tribute to the historical ties between Tripura and Rabindranath Tagore, noting that the Kabiguru visited the state seven times and shared a close bond with the royal family. He highlighted the significance of Mother Language Day, recalling the sacrifices made during the language movement in erstwhile East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

As the festival continues for three days, it promises to be a melting pot of ideas, creativity, and cultural exchange, further cementing Tripura’s place on the national literary map.