By Joseph Pulinthanath
Agartala, Jan 24, 2024: The chief minister and others in Tripura have applauded a Salesian school in a village in the northeastern Indian state after its girls’ band, formed less than a year ago, made history at national level.
The Girls Brass Band of St Xavier’s Pathaliaghat clinched third place at the National School Band Competition held in New Delhi, January 21-22.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, on his Facebook page, congratulated the band for the achievement. The school, located 36 km south of the state capital of Agartala, set up the band only in April 2023.
The band’s rise to fame “is an incredible story of hard work, discipline, tenacity, and grit,” says principal Salesian Father Babu Stephen.
The band consists of 25 girl students, aged between 11 and 16 and studying in grades 6-8.
Father Stephen confirmed that the students were all “absolute beginners, totally new to playing music” before the school launched the brass sand. He said it felt “surreal that even before completing a year of existence, the band has already made a mark at the district, state, zonal, and national levels.”
To reach the national level competitions the team had to win three earlier stages: the district, the state and the zonal stage. At the zonal stage of the competition, held in Bhubaneswar on December 22, the Tripura team emerged first in the eastern region, beating several teams from the region comprising Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and northeastern states.
Athukiri Debbarma, the team leader of the band, praised her principal for believing in them and “for having faith” in their potential. She also thanked the band masters Amrit Debbarma and Rajesh Debbarma and other teachers for their dedication and unstinted commitment.
Rishita Debbarma, the trumpet player was perhaps speaking on behalf of everyone when she admitted how difficult it was: “At first It was very tough to learn the notes, especially the classical Indian tunes. Sometimes I felt like giving up, but thanks to the encouragement and motivation our band teachers gave, I stuck on.”
Priyanka Debbarma, the guide teacher who accompanied the band, testified to the girls’ hard work. “I have seen their hard work; I have seen their honesty. That is what helped them to master the instruments like professionals within a short time.”
The school was started in 1985 by Atul Debbarma of Amtali village in Tripura, when he returned to Tripura after his studies at Don Bosco Shillong. In 1991. He offered the school to the Salesians.
The school has been engaged in empowerment of rural youth and social transformation. It has helped hundreds of village boys and girls to emerge as leaders and transforming agents of society.
The majority of its past pupils are now either placed prominently in society or pursuing successful careers.
The school is also the first Salesian institution in Tripura. Today they have six other schools in the state.