From Waste to Worth: Skill Development Centre Opens in Jampui Hills to Empower Recovering Youth and Combat Drug Abuse
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, June 2, 2026
In a significant step towards rehabilitation, livelihood generation, and the fight against substance abuse, the Samaritan Skill Development Training Center was formally inaugurated at Jampui RD Block in North Tripura on Monday. The centre aims to provide vocational training and sustainable employment opportunities to individuals recovering from drug addiction, while also promoting environmental sustainability through the production of eco-friendly arecanut leaf plates.
The Centre was inaugurated by Mr. Debabrata Roy, TCS, Block Development Officer of Jampui RD Block, in the presence of community leaders, rehabilitation workers, beneficiaries, and well-wishers. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Calvary Healing Center, which has been actively working for the rehabilitation of persons recovering from substance abuse in North Tripura.
The newly established training centre traces its origins to various skill development programmes conducted by the Social Welfare Department of the Government of Tripura. Over the years, residents of the rehabilitation facility have received hands-on training in Arecanut Leaf Plate Manufacturing, Carpentry, and Plumbing. According to the organisers, the inauguration of the Centre marks the successful culmination of these training efforts and opens a new chapter in rehabilitation through livelihood creation.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Lalfinpuia, Home Project Director of Calvary Healing Center, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative.
“This center is not just about learning a trade. It is about giving our young people a reason to stay clean, a purpose, a livelihood, and a place where they belong. Every plate made here tells a story of a life being rebuilt,” he said.
Mr. Lalfinpuia recounted the challenges faced in establishing the centre. He explained that the organisation lacked the financial capacity to purchase an arecanut leaf plate-making machine. However, a machine installed in 2021 under the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) programme through Evening Star NGO had remained unused.
“We requested permission to use the machine, and what followed transformed our rehabilitation efforts,” he said.
Following a formal appeal submitted to Ms. Chandni Chandran, IAS, District Magistrate of North Tripura, the matter was investigated and subsequently approved. The District Magistrate allowed the Calvary Healing Center to operate the machine under proper supervision, enabling recovering individuals to acquire practical skills while contributing productively to society.
The organisers expressed profound gratitude to the District Magistrate for her support and sensitivity towards community welfare. They also acknowledged the continuous encouragement extended by Mr. Lalfaktlinga Hrangchal, Director of the Social Welfare Department, whose support has helped sustain several rehabilitation initiatives.
The Centre's primary objective is to equip recovering youth with marketable vocational skills that can help them achieve financial independence and social reintegration. The eco-friendly, biodegradable arecanut leaf plates produced at the facility will not only provide hands-on training but also generate income. Organisers stated that proceeds from the sale of these products will be utilised as a sponsorship fund, allowing economically disadvantaged individuals to access rehabilitation services free of cost.
Beyond livelihood generation, the inauguration ceremony also served as a platform to raise concerns about the growing drug menace in Tripura.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Lalfinpuia spoke candidly about the devastating impact of substance abuse on families and communities.
“Drug addiction is severely affecting our youth, and many parents cannot sleep peacefully. Families are being torn apart. Although our centre can accommodate only 18 individuals, we consistently receive more patients than we are able to care for,” he said.
Highlighting the urgent need for systemic intervention, he called upon the state government to take stronger measures to address the rehabilitation sector's challenges.
The Social and Economic Development Committee (JSBA), which oversees the Centre's activities, has reportedly been operating entirely through volunteers and well-wishers without any government funding. Mr. Lalfinpuia urged the government to establish a dedicated Tripura Social Defence and Rehabilitation Board under the Social Welfare Department.
According to him, such a board could bring all rehabilitation centres under a common regulatory framework, formulate standard operating procedures, conduct regular inspections, and ensure that patients receive quality care and protection.
“Some individuals may be treating rehabilitation as a business, while others may not be providing adequate care. Tripura must awaken to this reality. We need a strong and accountable system so that together we can build a drug-free state,” he asserted.
The Samaritan Skill Development Training Center represents a unique model that combines environmental sustainability, vocational training, social rehabilitation, and community development. By transforming discarded arecanut leaves into useful products and helping recovering individuals rebuild their lives, the initiative stands as a powerful example of how innovation and compassion can work together to address one of society's most pressing challenges.
As Tripura continues its efforts to tackle the growing threat of substance abuse, initiatives like this centre may serve as an inspiring model for rehabilitation, empowerment, and sustainable development across the state.
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