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Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Modi lauds Odisha's devotional singers for awareness campaign against forest fires
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday drew the attention of the country towards the environmental awareness campaign against forest fires undertaken by 'Radhakrishna Sankirtan Mandali', a group of devotional singers from Keonjhar district, who are spreading the message of conservation through traditional songs and music. 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.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pramila's Sankirtan against forest fires is inspiring, says PM Modi in 'Mann Ki Baat'
BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the efforts of Pramila Pradhan and her troupe at Murgapahadi village in Ghatagaon block of Keonjhar district for using the traditional Sankirtan to raise awareness on the hazards of forest fire. In his latest Mann Ki Baat radio programme, Modi spoke about Pramila's unique approach towards reducing forest fires through her Radhakrushna Sankirtan Mandali. '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 of people being made aware of forest fires through kirtans? You may not believe it, but something amazing is happening in Keonjhar district of Odisha. There is a group named Radhakrishna Sankirtan Mandali. Along with devotion, the group is also chanting the mantra of environmental protection. The inspiration behind this initiative is Pramila Pradhan ji,' PM Modi said. To protect the forest and the environment, she has added new lyrics and new messages to traditional songs. Her troupe this year went from village to village and through traditional songs, made people to understand the damages forest fires can cause, the PM stated.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Sankirtan shows the way to save forests from wildfire
KEONJHAR: Sankirtan - a vibrant form of devotional art - holds crowds together in rural Odisha even today. The art form, though, is no longer confined to devotion alone. Because, the artistes have been using it as a medium to address issues that are crucialtorural livelihood. One such performer is Pramila Pradhan of Murgapahadi village in Ghatagaon block of Keonjhar district who runs Radhakrushna Sankirtan Mandali. This year, she and her troupe moved across all villages in h e r p a n c h a y a t throughout the summer season, performing Sankirtan and raising awareness against the hazards of forest fire. Her kirtans struck a chord with the people and resulted in voluntary action in many parts too. Five years back, Pramila revived a Sankirtan Mandali that was formed by her fatherin- law three decades back. While he could not sustain it due to lack of funds, Pramila decided to revive the Sankirtan Mandali in 2021 by roping in members from her village and nearby villages. Her motive was to supplement her family income and also help a few others in the area in doing so. Today, the 20-member troupe has 10 women of Murgapahadi village including adolescent girls. While the women sing, the men play the musical instruments. 'In the last five years, we must have performed in at least 40 places in the district to mark many religious occasions, be it festivals, birth and thread ceremonies or weddings. And people have appreciated our performance time and again,' she said.
