The 129th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, carried a reflective tone as it wrapped up the broadcast for the year 2025. The episode, aired on Sunday, served as a moment to look back at the year's journey and ahead to 2026, but its heart lay in celebrating the unsung stories of ordinary Indians.
A Quiet Story from the Hills of Manipur
Moving beyond milestones, the Prime Minister dedicated a significant portion of the broadcast to the inspiring story of Margaret Ramtharsiem from Churachandpur district in Manipur. Her narrative was not a brief mention but a detailed account of quiet, persistent work. PM Modi shared how Margaret took deeply local arts—bamboo craft, woodwork, and traditional Manipuri handicrafts—and built a sustainable model that now supports her entire community.
Margaret's journey began not with an ambition to lead an enterprise but with her own hands. She started by making products herself, mastering the crafts rooted in her heritage. This personal effort gradually evolved into a collective movement. Today, her initiative provides a stable livelihood for more than 50 local artisans, preserving skills passed down through generations that were at risk of fading away.
From Local Shelves to National Markets
The impact of her work is now visible far beyond Manipur. What began as products for a small local market has found appreciative buyers in Delhi and several other states. This expansion has provided crucial visibility and, most importantly, a dependable income stream for the artisans. It stands as a practical model for how traditional culture can adapt and thrive economically without losing its essence.
For Margaret, the national recognition on Mann Ki Baat was completely unexpected. She revealed that although a team from the Prime Minister's Office had visited her recently to understand her work, she never imagined her name would be mentioned by the PM himself. "It's pushed me to do even better," she said after the episode aired, noting that the acknowledgment has strengthened her resolve.
The Power of Steady, Patient Work
Margaret's story defies the myth of overnight success. It is a testament to years of patient, incremental effort:
- She began by personally crafting bamboo and wooden items.
- She slowly brought together more artisans, fostering collaboration.
- She gradually identified and accessed better markets.
- She consistently built trust within and outside her community.
Her focus remained simple yet powerful: to help local talent reach wider audiences, ensure traditional skills survive, and guarantee that the craftspeople earn a decent and reliable living. Her work proves that cultural heritage does not need to be frozen in the past; it can be a dynamic, living source of sustenance and pride.
The final Mann Ki Baat of 2025 thus closed with a powerful reminder: sometimes, the most transformative stories unfold quietly, away from the spotlight. They are stories like Margaret's—of resilience and community spirit, building a future one handmade piece at a time.
