Modi lauds Odisha's devotional singers for awareness campaign against forest fires
The Prime Minister highlighted the group's unique initiative during his address on the 124th episode of the monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' programme. 'The most beautiful glimpse of India's diversity is found in our folk songs and traditions, and our bhajans and kirtans are a part of this. But have you ever heard that people are made aware of forest fires through kirtans? You may not believe it, but amazing work is happening in Keonjhar district of Odisha. Here, there is a group named Radhakrishna Sankirtan Mandali,' said Modi.
The Prime Minister also praised the leader Pramila Pradhan, who spearheaded the unique and novel effort against forest fire in her locality. 'Along with devotion, today, this group is also chanting the mantra of environmental protection. The inspiration behind this initiative is Pramila Pradhan ji. To protect the forest and the environment, she has added new lyrics and new messages to traditional songs. Her troupe went from village to village. Through songs, people were made to understand how much damage forest fires cause,' he added.
The example of Pramila and her troupe of devotional singers, the 'Radhakrishna Sankirtan Mandali', reminds one that folk traditions are not relics of the past, but they still have the power to give direction to society.
During his 'Mann ki Baat' address, Modi also mentioned the 'National Handloom Day' observed on August 7 every year to commemorate Swadeshi Movement, which began on August 7, 1905. He said this year, August 7 marks the completion of 10 years of 'National Handloom Day'.
While highlighting numerous efforts by people across the country to revive traditional handlooms and the revolution in the textile sector that took place during the last 10 years, Modi praised the efforts by tribal women in Mayurbhanj district to revive the traditional Santhali saree.
'There is a similar success story in Mayurbhanj. Here, more than 650 tribal women have revived the Santhali saree. Now these women are earning thousands of rupees every month. They are not just making cloth, but also carving their own identity. The achievement of Naveen Kumar from Nalanda, Bihar, is also inspiring. His family has been associated with this work for generations,' added Modi.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
30 booked, 1 arrested over TIPRA Motha attack on BJP supporters listening to PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat: Tripura police
After alleged TIPRA Motha men attacked BJP supporters listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat radio address in Tripura's Khowai district on Sunday, the police made an arrest on Monday in connection with the incident. Speaking to reporters, Ranaditya Das, Superintendent of Police, Khowai, identified the arrested accused as Rintu Debbarma. 'We are conducting an extensive search operation to arrest all accused persons named in the FIR,' he said of the 29 others booked in the case. The TIPRA Motha is a ruling ally of the BJP. The attack in the Asharambari area landed the tribal party in a tight spot as Chief Minister Manik Saha said his government would not tolerate political violence. 'Strongly condemn the violent & undemocratic attack by TIPRA Motha party workers during Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi Ji's #MannKiBaat programme at Asharambari. Several BJP karyakartas injured, 3 undergoing treatment at GB Hospital. I visited the hospital, instructed doctors to provide best care & directed police to take strict action against perpetrators. Such disgraceful acts won't be tolerated,' he wrote on social media after visiting Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital on Sunday night. Describing the incident, BJP tribal leader Bipin Debbarma said that TIPRA Motha men armed with machetes and countrymade guns attacked BJP supporters and also damaged 10-15 motorcycles and two cars. State BJP media in-charge Sunit Sarkar told reporters that the TIPRA Motha's lone minister, Animesh Debbarma, was looking into the issue, while BJP leaders were also trying to find out what led to the incident. Debbarma represents the Asharambari constituency. For his part, TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma said in a Facebook video on Sunday, 'I don't want political violence in Tripura. If tribals keep fighting each other in the name of flags, one day flags will be all that's left, land will be lost. You can do politics two months before elections. Till then, keep thansa (unity) as tribals. The fool thinks that money is more important than the future of our children. If anyone can do politics, they can do. Tell the truth with courage, expose what is happening in our state and whatever is wrong. But there is no point in fighting or being violent. Politely state your disagreements, if any. But why should anyone become violent? If a brother assaults another brother, then outsiders laugh at us. What are you fighting for? Some facilities, some policies…? My appeal to you is think of the future of your children. The politics of violence will not give us anything.'
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Will Modi speak in North India about Rajendra Chola's victorious expedition, asks TNCC chief Selvaperunthagai
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai on Monday asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi would speak about Rajendra Chola's history in North India where the king is believed to have led a victorious expedition about a 1,000 years ago. He was speaking at a press conference to announce essay writing and public speaking competitions to celebrate former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary, the establishment of Rajiv Gandhi IAS Academy, and the institution of awards in name of Congress leaders. Mr. Selvaperunthagai said, 'Mr. Modi must speak about erecting a statue for Rajendra Chola in North India. Rajendra Chola is called Gangaikonda Cholan. It is believed that he had brought Ganga water and performed abhishekam to the Peruvudaiyar [at Gangaikonda Cholapuram]... It is also believed that he had defeated the north Indian armies. Would Mr. Modi speak about it in North India?' The TNCC president questioned Mr. Modi's claim that the Centre had devolved ₹3 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu in the last 10 years, a sum which was much higher than what the Congress-led UPA government had given. 'Union Home Minister Amit Shah said ₹6,80,000 crore had been given in the 10 years, whereas the Congress-led government had given only ₹1,53,000 crore. Union Minister of State L. Murugan said ₹12 lakh crore had been given to Tamil Nadu. Which figure is true? Nobody has done more to Tamil Nadu in terms of tax devolution and schemes than the Congress. When Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister, the tax system was simple. Now, the GST is levied on all goods, along with surcharges. Tamil Nadu's tax revenue has come down after the GST was introduced,' he said. Asked whether the Congress would insist on sharing power with the DMK after the 2026 Assembly election, Mr. Selvaperunthagai said, 'We are a national party. There are more than 10 months left for the election. We have conveyed our opinion to the AICC, which will take a decision.'
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Mamata launches ‘Bhasha Andolan', says Bengali identity under attack in BJP-ruled states
Clarifying her stand, the Chief Minister said she was not against any language, but against divisive policies. 'Have we ever told any Hindi-speaking people to leave from here? But Bengali-speaking people are being harassed in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam, and Maharashtra,' she alleged. Banerjee said that it was not the lack of opportunities in their native state, but rather the quality of work, that took them to other states. 'Why do they go to other states? They are hired because of their skills. Who will do zari work? There are 1.5 crore migrants in our state but we don't misbehave with them. This is their democratic, fundamental right. If our people are under attack, we will have to give them protection,' she announced. Banerjee also appealed to the allegedly tortured Bengali-speaking migrants to return home, assuring them of complete support from the state police and administration. She said, 'Those who are being tortured outside, come back to Bengal. A police helpline has already been provided. Tell us the date, and we will arrange trains just like we did during COVID. Even if we have only one roti, we will share half. We will create more schemes and give you work.' Highlighting the alleged injustice, the Chief Minister questioned the Centre's selective outreach. Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said, 'They only know Chai Pe Charcha and Mann Ki Baat. When you go to Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia and hug the sheikhs, do you check whether they are Muslims? A few days ago, you gave Maldives ₹5,000 crore, and yet we are not getting MGNREGA funds. Do you then see whether they are Hindu or Muslim?' Terming the BJP-led governments in Haryana and Assam as 'incompetent', she said, 'Just for speaking in Bengali, we are labelled Bangladeshis? We will stop this conspiracy. Everyone must take to the streets to stop it.'
