Building a Positive Narrative and Opportunity Driven Roadmap for Tripura
Shubhadip Deb Roy
January 4, 2026
The Prabashi Tripurabashi Summit, held on 28 December 2025 at a city hotel and organised by TIFT, marked a decisive moment at how Tripura presents itself to the world. The Honorable Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha graced the occasion, along with the Honorable Tourism Minister Sri Sushanta Chowdhury, Senior Government Officials & other dignitaries. Their presence conveyed intent, confidence & ownership at the highest level.
Around 80 participants attended the summit and all are well settled across India and abroad. They brought diverse expertise and have excelled in various sectors and industry such as Film, Education, Healthcare, Technology, Culture and Public service shaped by global exposure and best practices.
The invitation itself created impact. It turned many participants, including myself, into active advocates for Tripura. The organizers deserve appreciation. Bringing together such a diverse and accomplished group required planning and conviction. It also opened the door for a more confident approach in branding Tripura as a destination to invest.
Branding must begin with positivity. Tripura is rich in flora and fauna, unique landscapes, dense forest cover and hills with largely unpolluted air. These are tangible strengths. Clean air and clear skies in the hills can support niche tourism such as star gazing, wellness & adventure retreats, nature-based learning. Rail, road and air connectivity have already placed Tripura firmly on India’s connectivity map. Accessibility is no longer a limitation. The narrative now needs to align with this reality.
The summit also highlighted how Tripura is often discussed. Excessive focus on challenges weakens confidence. Tripura is geographically well positioned to expand economic activity. The state produces high quality pineapples. Bamboo and rubber offer significant opportunities and require scaling with appropriate skills to become globally marketable. Tripura also has abundant, largely unadulterated soil suitable for organic farming. Medicinal plants offer clear commercial potential. Coffee cultivation can be explored in suitable pockets. Opportunity must replace challenges in public discourse.
Tourism offers immediate scope for growth. A structured North East pilgrim circuit connecting Tripureshwari Kali Bari, Kamakhya Temple, and Nartiang Durga Bari in Meghalaya can be developed. The region hosts three of the fifty-one Shakti Peeths. A coordinated circuit can increase footfall, extend visitor stays and generate employment. Mata Bari can also be promoted through Indian cinema and devotional Hindi and regional music. Film and music shape public perception. Vaishno Devi gained nationwide visibility through cinema and devotional music. A consistent and ethical approach can create similar awareness.
Hospitality around Mata Bari needs focused planning. Many pilgrims from different states follow strict vegetarian diets. Vegetarian restaurants should be actively promoted in and around Mata Bari. Government guest houses and private or corporate operators can participate. Assured availability of vegetarian food builds trust and encourages repeat visits.
Accommodation standards must improve across categories. Hotels and guest houses should be monitored for clean linen, hygienic washrooms and calm, non-clumsy interior. A graded accommodation ecosystem is required. Hostels and budget stays should cater to pilgrims and students. Mid-range and star category properties should serve families and affluent visitors. Parking facilities & clean public toilets must be treated as a basic necessity.
Adventure and nature-based tourism remain largely underused. Regulated off roading trails can be developed with strict safety norms and environmental limits. Monsoon trekking supported by certified homestays can generate local income and distribute tourism beyond urban areas.
Cultural tourism must remain authentic. Community led experiences centred on Garia Puja and Kharchi Puja can be scaled with structure and dignity. Expansion should come through participation, not dilution of tradition.
Medical tourism is another underexplored opportunity. With improving healthcare facilities, Tripura can attract patients from neighbouring states and Bangladesh. Cost advantages, proximity and ease of traveling can position the state as a regional healthcare destination, particularly for basic and medium complexity treatments. Preventive health offers strong scope for collaboration. Investment in fitness, early screening, and lifestyle awareness reduces long term healthcare costs and improves productivity.
Urban measures such as paid parking in crowded streets can generate employment and revenue. They also encourage walking over excessive dependence on two wheelers, improving physical wellbeing. Safe and continuous footpaths must support this transition.
Agriculture linked livelihoods deserve equal attention. Strengthening piggery development, fisheries with cold chain infrastructure can reduce dependence on supplies from outside the state. This presents a direct economic opportunity. Israeli Agri technology can be explored for high yield and water efficient farming, with adaptation for small land holdings.
Sports offer long term returns. An excellence centre for sports and talent identification can harness the natural endurance strengths of people from the North East, shaped by hilly terrain. Football deserves focus drawing lessons from Manipur and Mizoram. Clubs and community spaces can become hubs of sporting activity with modest government grants and clear accountability.
Civic behaviour plays a direct role in tourism and quality of life. Cleanliness habits must begin at the primary school level. Basic education and moral science should include inculcating politeness, civic sense and respect for public spaces. Community cleanliness drives involving clubs, colleges, schools and local organizations can create a strong sense of ownership. Ownership changes behaviour.
Students should also be taught the economic cost of littering and its impact on tourism, environment & health. Traffic discipline needs equal attention. Over honking, noise pollution, air pollution & PUC compliance and drunken driving must be addressed through education and enforcement, aligned with campaigns such as Safe Drive Save Life.
Local street food can become a strength if managed well. Structured hygiene checks, quality control and strict FSSAI compliance are essential. The use of biodegradable cutlery and eco-friendly disposable plates & cups should be encouraged. Food wrapped or sold using old newspapers should be strictly banned. Garbage bins or disposal bags must be mandatory for all vendors to prevent littering in public spaces.
For the summit to evolve, structure will be critical. Invitees can be categorized by domain. Each participant can submit a short-written note before the event outlining ideas and possible contributions. The summit should clearly define its vision and mission. Every participant must be engaged through both verbal interaction and written platforms.
A dedicated digital portal can host ideas, policy references, and progress updates. Incentives can encourage high impact contributions. Post event feedback and structured follow up is a must.
Government support should come with a clear roadmap. Departments should define timelines, nodal officers and modes of collaboration. Key government policies should be communicated in simple communicable language during the invitation process so ideas align with existing schemes.
The Prabashi Tripurabashi Summit has begun on the right note. It carries credibility, goodwill and momentum. With positive branding, structured engagement and sustained government support, the state can evolve into a powerful platform that reshapes perception. The State’s narrative must now change from challenges to OPPORTUNITIES.
India is my nation. Tripura is my foundation.
(The Author is a Sales & Marketing Professional turned Entrepreneur & Community Organiser)
(Tripurainfo)
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