Page 36 - Mann Ki Baat - English, February,2023

Winners Speak...

“It is indeed an honour for me and the people of Manipur that
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned my name in ‘Mann ki Baat’.
My family has served the people of Manipur by fixing leather straps of
Pung for many generations, since my great-great grandfather’s time.
We never thought that the Sangeet Natak Akademi would recognise
our skills and give me this honour. My appeal to younger generations
is to continue whatever profession you choose with dedication and
discipline. Success will automatically come to your fate one day.”

-Saikhom Surchandra, Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2019
“I feel very happy that today Modiji took the name of a Divyang
person living in a remote area in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ program. I have got
this award for promotion of Uttarakhand Folk Music such as Rajula-
Malushahi, Nyuli, Hudka Bol, Jagar. “

-Puran Singh, Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2021
“When I heard the Prime Minister take my name on ‘Mann ki Baat’,
I got emotional. I thought that what I have been doing for so many
years has been an achievement. It will give us an inspiration to go
ahead and do even better work because the culture of our country is
very rich that we have to take to the whole world. Sursingar is one such
instrument which was mentioned in our scriptures but after 1950-60s it
had completely disappeared. In the Gharana I come from, the Semiya
Shahjahanpur Gharana, this instrument has played a very important
role in the past and now we are trying to revive it little by little. The Prime
Minister is giving respect to all the artists from all over the country,
many programs are going on, he is promoting many artists. Wherever
I have gone to perform, I have seen that the youths is taking interest in
India’s culture. Indian music is in very safe hands in future.”

-Joydeep Mukherjee, Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2019

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