Padma Shri awardee NC Debbarma and Bikram Bahadur Jamatia

Agartala, Mar 22, 2023, By Our Correspondent

Agartala March 22: Late minister Narendra Chandra Debbarma, an able administrator of the state, eminent politician and noted writer, was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday. On the same day, Bikram Bahadur Jamatia was awarded the Padma Shri for his social contribution. It is to be noted that on January 25, the names of Narendra Chandra Debbarma and Bikram Bahadur Jamatia were announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India. Later on Wednesday, the late minister's son Subrata Debbarma received the Padma Shri.

The late minister's son received the Padma Shri posthumously wearing the traditional attire of the people. The President presented this honor to Subrata Debbarma on this day. On this day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and prominent people of the country were present at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Later, the Chief Minister posted on social media that President Draupadi Murmu has conferred the Padma Shri on late Minister Narendra Chandra Debbarma. Narendra Chandra Debbarma (posthumously) awarded the Padma Shri for public affairs. Shri Narendra Chandra Debbarma, President of Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura was a well known politician. Shri Debbarma was born on August 28, 1942 in Khowai district of Tripura. He completed his graduation from Calcutta University in 1962. He worked in government jobs in the Food and Population Department and in All India Radio.

He retired as Station Director of All India Radio, Agartala on 31 August 2002. During his government career, he was associated with the Tripura Tribal Employees Association, also known as “Tripura Upjati Samajwa Samiti”, an affiliate of All India Federation of SC & ST, Backwards and Minorities Employees Welfare Association of New Delhi. He served as the President of “Tripura Subjati Employees Association” and actively participated in the welfare of tribal workers. Shri Devavarma was also an author and wrote several books on the Central Government's concern over illegal land acquisition under Article 244 (A) of the Constitution and its direction to the State Governments towards greater autonomy and why it was necessary. Takhumsabodol (Balaka) – A translation of Rabindranath Tagore's poem Balaka in Kakbarak, by Koklam, published by the Directorate of Research under the Department of Scheduled Castes and Tribes Welfare, Government of Tripura. Wrote an essay on the role of folklore and culture in human civilization as a contribution to the centenary celebrations of the Kakbarak language of the state held from 22nd December to 24th December 2000 – 2000. He was instrumental in publishing books on the customary law of Tripuri, Jamatia, Mog and Reangs of Tripura and made special reference to their land maintenance system as Research Officer.

After retirement, Shri Debbarma also served as Additional Chief Executive Officer of Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council. In 2008, he contested the state assembly election from the 18-Charidam Assembly constituency for the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura, but was defeated in that election. In 2009, he formed a new people's party called the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura with a new vision and ideology of "Tipraland" centered on the TTAADC region, demanding a separate state for the governance and development of the tribals of Tripura. In 2018, BJP and IPFT coalition government was formed in Tripura under his leadership. He was sworn in as the state's revenue minister in the new government and was later given the charge of forest minister. He was the minister from March 9, 2018 to January 1, 2023. He was easily accessible to the public and worked for the betterment of every section of the society and the people of Tripura. Shri Debbarma passed away on January 1 last. Bikram Bahadur Jamatia, on the other hand, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his social contribution. Sri Jamatia is known for his work with the Janjati community of North East India.