Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted two inspiring stories from Northeast India during the latest episode of Mann Ki Baat. He praised efforts to revive the traditional musical instrument of Tripura, Chongpreng and applauded Manipur-born astrophysicist Dr. Ronaldo Laishram for taking the name of Loktak Lake into the world of astronomy through a landmark scientific discovery.
Quick Glance
- PM Modi praised Tripura’s traditional Chongpreng musical instrument.
- He appreciated folk artist Suraj Kumar Debbarma for reviving the fading tradition.
- The Prime Minister urged citizens to promote local musical heritage on social media.
- Modi also highlighted the achievement of Dr. Ronaldo Laishram from Manipur.
- The astrophysicist named a newly discovered galaxy cluster the Loktak Proto-cluster.
- Modi said both stories show how people can preserve their roots while achieving excellence.
Agartala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the latest edition of Mann Ki Baat to celebrate two remarkable success stories from Northeast India. One reflected the region’s rich cultural heritage. The other showcased its contribution to global scientific research.
The Prime Minister said India possesses an incredible diversity of traditions. He added that these traditions continue to inspire people in different fields. According to him, one story came from the world of music, while the other emerged from modern astronomy.
He said both examples prove that people can achieve global recognition without losing touch with their cultural identity.
Tripura’s Chongpreng Represents India’s Rich Musical Heritage
Modi said India is home to countless traditional musical instruments. Their variety reflects the country’s cultural richness. Many of these instruments remain deeply connected to local communities and ancient traditions.
He drew attention to the Chongpreng, a traditional string instrument from Tripura. The instrument enjoys special significance among the state’s tribal communities.
The Prime Minister explained that artisans make the Chongpreng from bamboo. It carries three strings and produces soft, melodious music. He said its sound resembles that of the Sarod.
However, Modi noted that the instrument had gradually lost popularity among younger generations. As modern music gained wider appeal, fewer young people took interest in learning or performing with it.
Suraj Kumar Debbarma Revives a Fading Tradition
The Prime Minister credited folk artist Suraj Kumar Debbarma for bringing the Chongpreng back into public attention.
He said Debbarma took up the responsibility of preserving the traditional instrument when its popularity began to decline. Through continuous performances and cultural initiatives, he has helped introduce the Chongpreng to new audiences.
According to PM Modi, these efforts have started producing encouraging results.
The Prime Minister said Debbarma now performs not only with the Chongpreng but also with several other indigenous musical instruments from Tripura.
He also praised the artist’s dedication to preserving regional folk traditions. Modi said Debbarma regularly performs Kokborok folk songs along with Baul and Bengali folk music. This combination reflects the cultural diversity of Tripura and eastern India.
During the programme, the Prime Minister played a short musical clip featuring the Chongpreng. He expressed confidence that listeners would enjoy its distinctive sound and appreciate the beauty of India’s traditional music.
PM Modi Calls for Promotion of Traditional Musical Instruments
After playing the musical piece, Modi congratulated Suraj Kumar Debbarma for his commitment to preserving India’s cultural heritage.
He urged people across the country to identify and promote traditional musical instruments from their own regions.
The Prime Minister encouraged citizens to share photographs, videos and information about such instruments on social media platforms.
He said these small efforts can help more people discover India’s rich musical traditions. They can also encourage young generations to reconnect with local art forms and cultural heritage.
Manipur Astrophysicist Earns Global Recognition
The Prime Minister then turned to another inspiring story from Northeast India.
He spoke about Dr. Ronaldo Laishram, an astrophysicist from Manipur who currently works in Japan.
Modi said Dr. Laishram has earned international recognition through his research in astronomy. He was part of the scientific team that discovered a massive cluster of young galaxies.
The Prime Minister described the discovery as an important milestone in astrophysics.
Loktak Lake Inspires the Name of a Galaxy Cluster
Modi said Dr. Laishram chose to honour his homeland through this scientific achievement.
He named the newly discovered cosmic structure the Loktak Proto-cluster, drawing inspiration from Manipur’s famous Loktak Lake.
The Prime Minister explained that Loktak is India’s largest freshwater lake in the Northeast. It is widely known for its floating islands of vegetation, locally called Phumdis.
These floating formations create a landscape unlike any other. They appear as small islands drifting across the surface of the lake.
Modi said the arrangement of the young galaxies resembles this unique natural pattern. That similarity inspired the name of the newly discovered galaxy cluster.
He said the achievement has carried the name of Loktak far beyond India’s borders and into the vast universe.
Message for India’s Youth
The Prime Minister described Dr. Laishram’s achievement as a proud moment for every Indian.
He said the story sends a powerful message to young people across the country.
According to Modi, success on the global stage does not require leaving behind one’s identity or cultural roots.
Instead, he said, individuals can remain deeply connected to their homeland while making world-class contributions in science, innovation, arts and other fields.
He added that strong roots often become the foundation for extraordinary achievements.
Culture and Innovation Can Grow Together
Through the two stories, Prime Minister Modi presented a broader message about India’s future.
The revival of Tripura’s Chongpreng demonstrates the importance of preserving traditional heritage. At the same time, Dr. Ronaldo Laishram’s scientific achievement shows how Indians can lead cutting-edge global research while proudly celebrating their origins.
The Prime Minister said both examples deserve recognition because they inspire future generations.
One preserves the melodies of the past. The other expands humanity’s understanding of the universe. Together, they demonstrate that India’s cultural identity and scientific ambition can progress hand in hand. (With PIB inputs)
