Agartala

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday launched the State Innovation Mission at the International Exhibition Centre and inaugurated T-Nest (Tripura: Nurturing and Entrepreneurship Startup) in Agartala.

The programme, centred on the State Innovation Mission and T-Nest, is a joint initiative of the Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog, the Good Governance and Information Technology Department, and the Government of Tripura.

The initiative aims to promote innovation-driven development in the state by encouraging new ideas, technological advancement, and institutional collaboration. The launch is expected to mark a significant step toward strengthening Tripura’s growth in emerging sectors and fostering a culture of innovation.

Senior government officials, stakeholders, and representatives from various sectors participated in the event.

Speaking to ANI, Saha said the State Innovation Mission was “very necessary” for Tripura and described it as the first mission of its kind launched by a state in India. Referring to the Centre’s Act East Policy, he said the focus was now turning into “Act East Tripura”.

Highlighting the Centre’s support for the state’s development, the chief minister referred to the HIRA Model—Highways, Internet, Railways and Airways—as a key pillar for Tripura’s progress. He said the new mission would be immensely beneficial for the youth, many of whom earlier had to leave the state despite having strong skills and potential.

“This mission, along with a focus on startups, will provide them with logistics and technological support right from school and college levels,” Saha said, adding that it would help young innovators develop their ideas to maturity and enter the professional field with greater ease.

He assured aspiring entrepreneurs of full support from the Government of Tripura and NITI Aayog for technological and institutional assistance.

Saha also said an underutilised space had been converted into a full-fledged incubation centre, offering end-to-end support from the conceptual stage to project completion. Calling it a “new door of opportunity” for Tripura, he noted that the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog was visiting the state for the first time and had interacted with young innovators and visited the innovation stalls.

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“This is a very positive step for the state,” the chief minister said.