Mann Ki Baat 136th episode: Vagu mats, Chongpreng, Khadi sales and more
In the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat on 26 July 2026, PM Narendra Modi highlighted Kashmir's Vagu mat, Tripura's Chongpreng instrument, record Khadi sales of nearly ₹8,000 crore and Kerala's 'Aksharakanduk' Sanskrit-football project.
Summary
The PM spoke of the revival of Kashmir's traditional 'Vagu' mat, woven from reeds and paddy straw – cool in summer and warm in winter – by Ghulam Hussain of Srinagar and his daughter Tanzila. He described Tripura's 'Chongpreng', a three-stringed bamboo instrument popular among tribal communities whose tune resembles the sarod. He said Khadi sales have risen six-fold in 12 years to nearly ₹8,000 crore and urged people to buy Khadi, handloom or handicraft products this festive season. He mentioned 'Aksharakanduk', a project at a school in South Chittoor, Ernakulam (Kerala) that teaches Sanskrit letters through football terms. He also paid tribute on Kargil Vijay Diwas, praised the success of Vikram-1 – India's first privately developed rocket – and highlighted the 'Catch the Rain' efforts in several States.
Key facts
- Episode
- 136th – 26 July 2026
- Vagu
- Kashmir's traditional reed and paddy-straw mat
- Chongpreng
- Three-stringed bamboo instrument of Tripura; sound resembles sarod
- Khadi
- Sales up six-fold in 12 years to nearly ₹8,000 crore
- Aksharakanduk
- Teaching Sanskrit letters through football terms – Ernakulam, Kerala
- Vikram-1
- India's first privately developed rocket
Practice MCQs 4 questions
'Chongpreng', a three-stringed bamboo musical instrument mentioned in Mann Ki Baat on 26 July 2026, belongs to which State?
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Correct answer: C — Tripura
The PM described Chongpreng as an instrument from Tripura, popular among its tribal communities, whose tune resembles the sarod.
The traditional 'Vagu' mat, whose revival was praised in the 136th Mann Ki Baat, is made from what and belongs to which region?
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Correct answer: A — Reeds and paddy straw – Kashmir
Vagu is Kashmir's traditional mat crafted from reeds and paddy straw; it keeps cool in summer and warm in winter.
According to the PM's Mann Ki Baat of 26 July 2026, Khadi sales have grown how much over the last 12 years?
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Correct answer: B — Six-fold, to nearly ₹8,000 crore
The PM said Khadi sales have increased six-fold over the last 12 years and reached nearly ₹8,000 crore.
'Aksharakanduk', mentioned in the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat, is:
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Correct answer: D — A school project in Ernakulam, Kerala that teaches Sanskrit letters through football terms
Aksharakanduk is a project of a school Sanskrit club in South Chittoor, Ernakulam, Kerala, where a teacher explains Sanskrit letters by linking them to football terms.