Opposition not enemy, part of democracy
Jishnu Dev Barman
July 30, 2024, 11:18:44
Jishnu Dev Barman: A Personal Tribute! By Biswanath Bhattacharya
Opposition not enemy, part of democracy,’ says former Tripura Dy CM Jishnu Dev Varma, days before taking charge as Telangana Governor!!
Jishnu Dev Barman is a name that evokes respect and admiration in the state of Tripura. He is a man of many talents and achievements who has served his state and his country with distinction. He is the first person from Tripura to be appointed as the governor of any state in India, and he is currently the fourth governor of Telangana. I have had the privilege of knowing him personally for many years, and I would like to share some of my memories and impressions of him in this document.
• Early Encounters
I heard the name Jishnu Dev Barman from my brother Brishninath, who was his collegemate. Jishnu had honours in English, and my brother had honors in Sanskrit. They studied at the Maharaja Bir Bikram College in Agartala, the capital of Tripura. I never met Jishnu until Manik Chakraborty, my friend who worked at Vijaya Bank, introduced me to him. It was in the year 2009.
We went to a military cantonment near Lichubagan at Agartala and met Col Sandeep Karnwal, my friend. We had pep talks on various matters for more than one hour. I was amazed by Jishnu's command over English literature, especially when we discussed the play Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw. Jishnu told that the play incorporates Shaw's concept of the “life force” and satirizes the relationship between the sexes. He had a deep insight into the characters and themes of the play, and he quoted several passages from memory. He also had a keen interest in history, politics, and culture, and he shared his views on the contemporary issues of Tripura and India. I was impressed by his eloquence and erudition, and I felt a bond of friendship with him.
• Political Career
I met Jishnu several times after that, but I could never know that he was a BJP activist. He had joined the party in 1993, inspired by the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the ideology of Hindutva. He was a silent worker, who did not seek publicity or fame. He worked hard to strengthen the party's base in Tripura, which was dominated by the Left Front for decades. He contested the Legislative Assembly seat on a BJP ticket from the Charilam constituency in 2018 and won the seat with a handsome margin. BJP, with its allies, formed the government in Tripura in 2018, and he was made the Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura, with Finance as one of his portfolios. He also held the charge of Power, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and Cooperation.
I can't say that he revolutionized the Finance Department, but he made his mark. He presented budget, which were praised for their fiscal prudence, transparency, and welfare orientation. He also implemented several schemes and projects to boost the economy and infrastructure of Tripura. He was instrumental in bringing the GST regime to Tripura, and he ensured that the state received its due share of central funds. He also took initiatives to improve the power supply, rural development, and cooperative sector in the state. He was a popular and respected leader, who had the administration in his vein. His father, Ramendra Kishore Dev Barman, popularly known as Nani Karta, was the Chief Secretary of Tripura. His mother, Kamala Prava, an aristocratic lady, also shaped Jishnu's character. He was a man of integrity, honesty, and humility, who never compromised on his principles or values.
• Literary Pursuits
Apart from politics, Jishnu was also passionate about literature. His story is one of diverse achievements, from his academic pursuits in English literature to his political ascent within the BJP, culminating in his election as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura.
Jishnu Dev Barma has written two books of fiction and one book of poetry, all published by Bhabani Books and Tripura Chronicle
The books written by him are as under:
• The Children of Water Goddess, Bhabani Books
• Views, Reviews, and My Poems, Bhabani Books
• Con (Fusion) Of Language and Origin, Tripura Chronicle
• Looking Back, Tripura Chronicle
• , Maharaja Bir Bikram College: A Dream College, Tripura Chronicle
• Indigenous Wisdom- Man and Nature
• The Indigenous World View. (Man And Nature)
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However, his political career stopped in 2023 when he lost the election from Charilam. It was a shock and a setback for Jishnu, who had worked tirelessly for the development and welfare of his constituency and his state. He became passive and withdrawn, and he devoted his time to reading and writing. He did not seek any position or post in the party or the government, and he maintained a low profile. He seemed to have lost his interest and enthusiasm in public life, and he was content with his private pursuits.
But fate had other plans for him. He received a call from Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, who informed him that he had been chosen as the fourth governor of Telangana. It was a surprise and an honour for Jishnu, who had never expected such a high and prestigious appointment. It was also a proud moment for the state of Tripura, which had never seen any of its sons or daughters becoming the governor of any state. Jishnu accepted the offer with gratitude and humility, and he will be taking on 31st July 2024, at the Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad.
I am certain that Jishnu will make his mark in his new avatar as the governor of Telangana. He has the experience, the wisdom, and the vision to discharge his constitutional and ceremonial duties with dignity and grace. He also has the sensitivity, the empathy, and the compassion to understand and address the needs and aspirations of the people of Telangana. He is a bridge-builder who can foster harmony and cooperation among the various sections and communities of the society. He is a role model, who can inspire and motivate the youth and the students of the state. He is a friend, who can lend a listening ear and a helping hand to anyone in need. He is a leader, who can lead by example and by action.
I am proud and happy to have known him and to have been his friend. I wish him all the success and happiness in his new role. I hope that he will continue to write and to enrich the literary world with his creative genius. I also hope that he will visit Tripura often and keep in touch with his friends and admirers. He is a son of Tripura, who has made Tripura proud. He is a citizen of India, who has served India well. He is a human being, who has made a difference in the world. May God bless him and Tripura as well.
(Tripurainfo)