Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Agartala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned the national spotlight on a bamboo-made instrument from Tripura. During his July 26 Mann Ki Baat broadcast, he showcased the three-stringed Chongpreng. It produces a sound akin to a Sarod. The instrument belongs to the state's tribal communities. Popularity waned as time passed. Now, it is making a comeback.
Suraj Kumar Debbarma leads this push. He works to preserve the Chongpreng and promote other traditional arts. These include Kokborok folk songs, Baul music, and Bengali folk tunes. The Prime Minister aired an audio clip of the instrument. He pushed citizens to document local musical traditions across India.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha watched the broadcast at booth number 51 within the Pratapgarh assembly constituency. He expressed gratitude for the national recognition. "It feels as though he did not receive this honour alone; people from all sections, castes, tribes and communities of Tripura have received this honour," Saha said. He previously met Debbarma but never expected the Prime Minister to highlight the work on a national stage.
Saha praised the monthly radio show for its broad appeal. He noted the program covers sports, environmental awareness, and craftsmanship. During the episode, Modi also pushed for an end to single-use plastic. Saha confirmed the state government is acting on these environmental directives. He emphasized that the administration continues to prioritize the local tea industry and remains focused on youth-led development.
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