Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha joined local residents at Booth No. 51 of the 13 Pratapgarh Mandal on Sunday, 26 July 2026, to listen to the 136th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat. The episode featured discussions on inspiring citizen initiatives from across the country, achievements in sports and olympiads, and the contributions of ordinary people to handicrafts.

Context

In his post, Dr. Saha noted that the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat — 'মন কি বাত' (Mann Ki Baat) — was broadcast on 26 July 2026. He described how the Prime Minister highlighted 'inspiring new initiatives from various parts of the country, multiple successes in sports and olympiads, and the extraordinary contributions of ordinary people in handicrafts.' The Chief Minister personally attended the booth-level listening session alongside local citizens of Pratapgarh Mandal in Tripura.

Mann Ki Baat is broadcast on the last Sunday of each month, making it a regular fixture in the national public communication calendar. The 136th episode continued the programme's tradition of spotlighting grassroots achievements and citizen-led stories from across India.

Policy Backdrop

Mann Ki Baat was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2014 as a monthly radio outreach initiative to connect the central government directly with citizens on themes ranging from public health and education to sports and cultural heritage. Over more than a decade, the programme has become one of the most widely distributed public radio addresses in the country.

The emphasis on sports successes in this episode aligns with the broader push under the Khelo India scheme, introduced in 2017, which aims to promote grassroots sports participation and strengthen India's performance at international competitions including the Olympics. Handicraft promotion has similarly been a recurring theme, reflecting central government efforts to support traditional artisan communities.

Stakeholders and Impact

BJP state leaders across the country routinely organise booth- and mandal-level listening sessions for Mann Ki Baat, using the event to reinforce party outreach at the ground level and connect central government messaging with local audiences. Dr. Saha's participation at Booth No. 51 of 13 Pratapgarh Mandal is consistent with this established practice in BJP-governed states.

For residents of Tripura, such events provide a direct touchpoint with national policy narratives. Athletes, handicraft artisans, and citizens engaged in community initiatives stand to benefit from the visibility that Mann Ki Baat lends to grassroots achievements, potentially influencing future state-level support schemes.

What's Next

Subsequent episodes of Mann Ki Baat will be watched for further announcements on sports infrastructure and artisan support. Any follow-up policy moves by the Tripura state government on sports development or handicraft promotion — inspired by themes raised in the 136th episode — will signal how closely state priorities align with the central government's messaging. The next broadcast is expected on the last Sunday of August 2026.