The BJP government in Tripura on Friday hosted the state’s first-ever Durga Puja carnival, titled “Mayer Biday-2019” (farewell to mother goddess Durga).
Selected Durga idols of 22 clubs and organisations featured in the carnival where menace of drug abuse, as well as the cleanliness campaign and other government programmes were showcased.
The state police band played at the event.
Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurated the carnival.
BJP general secretary Ram Madhav and other ruling party leaders and important dignitaries were present at the celebration.
The carnival procession started from post office Chowmuhani and culminated at ‘Dashamighat’ of the city.
Members from 45 clubs and Durga Puja commiittees took part in the carnival with their Durga idols.
More than one thousand artistes performed during the carnival procession. Bengali dance, Bihu dance and folk dances performed in the carnival procession.
Speaking at the event, chief minister Deb said that budget carrier Air Asia will begin flight operations from Agartala from October 20.
The low cost airline will launch flights on the Agartala-Kolkata and Agartala-Imphal route.
Deb further said the central government has given permission to set up two Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in the State.
The two JNVs will be set up in South Tripura district and at Takarjala.
BJP MP Pratima Bhowmik, who had taken the initiative to organise the carnival, said that this initiative has been taken to encourage the puja organisers of the capital city and also to put forth a message of boosting tourism.
Over 2,500 community and about 200 family Durga Pujas were held across Tripura this year.