Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma conveyed heartfelt greetings to the people of Tripura, Meghalaya, and Manipur on their 54th Foundation Day, celebrating their journey of statehood and progress.
Taking to social media platform X, CM Sarma expressed his best wishes, stating, “Blessed with natural abundance and warm-hearted people, our sisterly States truly represent the best of Ashtalakshmi. Prayers for the continued growth of all the States.”
The three northeastern states attained full statehood on January 21, 1972, under the North Eastern Region (Reorganisation) Act, 1971. This pivotal legislation granted them greater autonomy and recognized their unique cultural and political identities.
Manipur
Manipur’s journey to statehood is steeped in historical milestones. Before India’s independence in 1947, Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, ensuring the state’s internal autonomy. In 1948, Manipur became the first Indian territory to hold elections based on universal adult franchise. However, in 1949, the state was integrated into India through the Merger Agreement, a move that faced resistance from its elected Legislative Assembly.
Tripura
Once a princely state, Tripura formally joined the Indian Union on November 15, 1949, under the regency of Queen Kanchan Prabha, who led the state after the demise of King Bir Bikram. Her decisive role ensured the peaceful merger of Tripura with India, laying the foundation for its eventual statehood.
Meghalaya
Meghalaya emerged as an autonomous state within Assam in 1970, comprising the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills districts. On January 21, 1972, it achieved full statehood alongside Tripura and Manipur, becoming a testament to the region’s cultural diversity and aspirations for self-governance.
The Foundation Day celebrations honor the rich heritage and progress of these northeastern states while acknowledging their contributions to India’s unity and diversity. As the region continues to flourish, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Manipur remain integral to the nation’s vision of inclusive growth and development.
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