THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Jan 28: The students of the Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls School (KGBV), Patamda, East Singhbhum, who secured first place nationally in the National School Band Competition 2025 held on January 24–25 in New Delhi, met Chief Minister Hemant Soren today. They shared their experiences of participating in the national-level competition with the Chief Minister.
Congratulating the band team, the Chief Minister called their achievement a moment of pride for Jharkhand. He praised the students for bringing recognition to the state and highlighted their remarkable talent as representatives of a government school. The Chief Minister wished them continued success and encouraged them to aim for even greater achievements in the future.
A Commitment to Nurturing Talent and Providing Platforms for Growth
The Chief Minister emphasized that the state is brimming with talented students who are excelling in various fields. He reiterated the government’s commitment to identifying and enhancing hidden talent among children by offering them better platforms and opportunities. Several initiatives are being undertaken to ensure that students gain the exposure they need to excel.
Band Performance at Republic Day Celebrations in New Delhi
Notably, the team that won first place in the National School Band Competition also performed during the Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. This marked the first time a band team from Jharkhand participated in such a prestigious event.
Also Read: Three DPS Ranchi students advance to second level of IAPT Exam
On this occasion, key officials, including the State Project Director of the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC), Shashi Ranjan, State Nodal Officer Dheersen Soreng, Physical Education Teacher Nisha Panna, and trainers Prem Rana, Jarnail Singh, and Amarveer Singh from the Punjab Regimental Centre in Ramgarh, were present.
Sanjay Seth Praises the Band Team
Earlier, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth lauded the team’s achievement, describing it as a proud moment for the people of Jharkhand. “We are felicitating these young talents for their dedication and hard work,” he said.
Seth particularly commended the enthusiasm of the young participants, most of whom were just 13 or 14 years old, for showcasing their skills on such a grand stage. Referring to the Prime Minister’s vision for India in 2047, Seth emphasized that the students embody the nation’s goals of growth and development as India moves toward becoming a developed country by its 100th year of independence.
A Journey of Determination: The 25-Member Band Team
The Pipe Band Girls Team from KGBV Patamda comprises 25 members, most of whom come from underprivileged families reliant on farming and daily wage labour. For many of these students, the journey to New Delhi was their first-ever train ride. Under the guidance of instructors from the Sikh Regiment and the Punjab Regiment at the Ramgarh Army Regimental Centre, the team has shown extraordinary dedication and resilience.
Located in the remote rural area of East Singhbhum district in Jharkhand, the PM Shri Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Patamda, is a residential school that educates girls from classes 6 to 12. The pipe band team, consisting of students from classes 8 to 12, won first place at the State Level School Band Competition 2024–25 held in Ranchi before advancing to the regional level in Guwahati.
Despite coming from humble backgrounds, these students have achieved extraordinary success through sheer discipline and hard work, overcoming numerous challenges.
The team members include:
Parvati Mahto (Team Leader), Ashalata Mahto, Pinky, Kalyani Mahto, Mamta Mahto, Basanti Mahto, Varsharani Manjhi, Sadhna Mahto, Subhadra Karmakar, Rupali Tudu, Pramila Mahto, Ruma Mahto, Kalpana Tudu, Pooja Rani Mahto, Pooja Mahto, Riya Mahto, Chhaya Mahto, Savita Mahto, Usharani Soren, Pallavi Mahto, Ibil Hansda, Sukramani Soren, and Barnali Manjhi.
