Shyama Charan Tripura
By:Pradyot Bikram Manikya DebBurman , Category: General, Posted on:2010-06-11 15:32:02

Well they say that only people who overcome adversity can tell you about what success really is all about.Well the life of Shyama Charan Tripura has also seen its share of the ups and down ,but what really made him stand apart was that he was never deterred by failure and always put our people interest before his own.

I first met Shyama babu as a child when he would regularly visit late Maharaja Kirit Bikram to discuss various affairs of the state and I know for the fact that the royal family always valued and trusted his opinion. An avid writer and a voracious reader Shyama babu was one of the few intellectuals amongst the indigenous community of his era. His analysis was always accurate and he also had a sense of vision which was devoid of communal hatred and overall reconciliation amongst different sections of society.It was this encompassing view which made him acceptable to all and respected by even his detractors, according to me this was a rare quality which few possessed.

In the later years that I came to know him and interacted with him I realised that he was a man who probably was ahead of his time, his body may have aged but his mind was as sharp as ever. We made frequent trips to the countryside and even travelled to Delhi a couple of times. I remember on one occasion when he spoke articulately and yet firmly to one of the HRD ministry officials on the NIT reservation issue, while others pleaded for the reservation for the ST/SC in the institution , Shyama Babu spoke with a sense of authority and also with the rationality which somewhat dumbfounded the ministry official.Here as a man who personified dignity and did not beg for favours but demanded what was his right with lan and dignity I thought to myself.

As a politician Shyama Charan Tripura was somewhat more reserved and though he was one of the founding members of the TUJS in 1967 he never really asserted himself. Perhaps the thinker and the writer that he was somewhat stifled the growth of him as a political leader. In his last years he confided in me how disgusted he was with the political set up in the state, the sad state of affairs and lack of direction amongst leaders disappointed him somewhat.

The last few years of Shyama Babu as we lovingly called him was largely restricted to writing.Perhaps he knew that his end was near ,but his youthful desire to document the indigenous was of life reflected in his writing. He perhaps knew the most about the Tribal was of life and was keen to come out with a publication which would help impart his knowledge to the next generation. Today after he is no more with us I feel that it is our responsibility to make this dream of his come true.

The last time I met Shyama Babu in his residence a couple of months ago ,I did feel that his end was near but my heart wanted him to continue the fight on .He could not speak as he was ill but instantly recognised me and became emotional .I can never forget that day because for me Shyama babu was more than just a Intellect and a leader, to me he was the man who I had grown to admire and respect.Today that he is no more I can feel the vacuum that he has left behind and to follow his footsteps would be the best way to commemorate his memory.
Tripura today has lost one of their most valuable sons and I hope that finally Shyama Charan Tripura will get due recognition for the work and knowledge that he imparted during his lifetime.

For me personally I will never be able forget him and I will miss our conversations, to me there will never be another Shyama Charan Tripura. May he rest in peace.

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