Agartala, January 3 (TIWN): State gears up to celebrate 43rd Statehood day. On this occasion the Government has organized various cultural activities in the State which will highlight the beauty and splendor of Tripura. This year the main function will going to be held in the premises of Umakanta Academy from 21st- 25th January. Various portraits reflecting the development of Tripura after obtaining statehood will be reflected at the exhibition at the premises.

To mark the occasion a preparatory committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary G. K. Rao, Convener Dr. K. Rajeswar Rao.  Besides, the Chief Minister also urged the head of the various departments to celebrate the Statehood of the State with full dignity and honour in their respective departments.

It is to be mentioned here that the functions of the Statehood Day is inaugurated and attended by the distinguished personalities who have contributed towards the progression of the State. Mostly these functions are attended by the Government officials and Chief Minister of the State.

The erstwhile princely states of Tripura and Manipur were merged with India in October 1949 and later became full-fledged states on January 21, 1972. Statehood Day is marked as a day when the union territory of Tripura finally attained statehood on January 21, 1972. After independence of India, an agreement of merger of Tripura with the Indian Union was signed by the Regent Maharani on September 9, 1947. The Ganamukti Parishad movement led to the integration of the kingdom with India in 1949 within Assam State and the administration of the State was actually taken over by the Government of India on October 15, 1949. Tripura became a union territory without legislature with effect from November1, 1956. On January 21st, 1972 finally attained statehood.