Latest news with #RadhakrishnaSankirtanMandali
Hans India
28-07-2025
- 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
28-07-2025
- 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.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PM praises 2 Odisha women's groups for helping curb forest fires, revive Santhali handloom
Bhubaneswar/Keonjhar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the efforts of two women-led changemaker groups in Odisha who are creating forest fire awareness through devotional music and reviving Santhali weaving, during his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address. Highlighting the deep connection between culture and conservation, the PM spoke about Radhakrishna Sankirtan Mandali, a folk music troupe from Murgapahadi village in Keonjhar district. "Have you ever heard about people being made aware of forest fires through kirtans? You may not believe it, but this amazing work is happening in Keonjhar district of Odisha. Here, there is a group named Radhakrishna Sankirtan Mandali," he said. Modi further said the troupe was working for environmental protection. "The inspiration behind this initiative is Pramila Pradhan Ji. To protect the forest and environment, she has added new lyrics and new messages to traditional songs. Her troupe travels from village to village, raising awareness against the hazards of forest fire. This example reminds us that our folk traditions are not something of the past; they still have the power to give direction to society," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upgrade to Exclusive 3 BHKs ASBL Book Now Undo Pradhan said, "I am very happy and also quite surprised to hear the PM mention my name during Mann Ki Baat. I never imagined that he would recognise my efforts." Divisional forest officer (DFO) of Keonjhar, Dhanraj H D, said the incidents of forest fire reduced significantly, thanks to awareness created by the troupe. "The number of fire points in Ghatagaon range reduced from 288 in 2023 to 80 in 2024 and 26 in 2025. Awareness through cultural groups, including sankirtan, has played a significant role," he added. Modi also appreciated another women's collective from Mayurbhanj district that has been quietly reviving Santhali handloom. "There is a success story in Mayurbhanj district. Here, more than 650 tribal women have given a new life to Santhali saris. These women are earning thousands of rupees every month. They are not only making clothes but also creating their own identity," said Modi. Students of Banabasi Kalyan Ashram in Mancheswar area of Bhubaneswar listened to the PM's address along with chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The CM encouraged the students to focus on their studies, work hard and aim to become successful and responsible individuals. He also planted a neem sapling on the ashram premises.
