Tripura CM Manik Saha Hails Public Enthusiasm for PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat

Tripura’s chief minister, Manik Saha, on Sunday beamed with pride as he talked about the swelling excitement that the monthly radio broadcast, Mann Ki Baat, now generates across the country. He said people literally wait for the last Sunday of every month – a habit that feels almost as ingrained as the old‑time TV marathons of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

“It’s not a party‑centric programme,” Saha chuckled, adding that the audience cuts across caste, tribe, region and age. “Everyone listens, everyone learns, and, yes, everyone starts to distinguish what’s good from what’s not.” He noted that when the show first aired, opposition voices had scoffed at it, but ordinary citizens have embraced it with genuine enthusiasm.

In the 136th edition of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a special shout‑out to Tripura’s own Suraj Kumar Debbarma, applauding his efforts to preserve the state’s traditional musical instrument – the Chongpreng. Saha recounted how he had earlier placed a garland around Debbarma’s neck in a small ceremony, never imagining that the Prime Minister would later echo that honour on a national platform.

“When the PM mentioned the Chongpreng, it felt as if the whole of Tripura – every community, every village – received that recognition together,” Saha said, his voice tinged with emotion. He extended heartfelt thanks to Narendra Modi for showcasing Tripura’s cultural heritage to the wider Indian audience.

The chief minister also used the occasion to highlight the Prime Minister’s unwavering faith in the nation’s youth. “Our future lies with these young minds,” he remarked, noting Modi’s numerous initiatives – from Mann Ki Baat to the student‑friendly Pariksha Pe Charcha – that aim to empower and inspire the next generation.

Turning to the environment, Saha echoed the PM’s call to curb single‑use plastic, confirming that his own government has already issued strict directives to tackle plastic waste, citing its harmful impact on health and ecosystems.

Finally, Saha spoke about the tea sector, a vital part of Tripura’s economy, assuring that the state is channeling special focus and resources to boost production and improve livelihoods of tea growers.

In sum, the chief minister painted a picture of a state proud of its heritage, hopeful for its youth, and proactive on pressing issues – all while eagerly waiting for the next Mann Ki Baat episode.