Pathaliaghat, India – December 2023 – The Salesian St Xavier’s secondary school in Pathaliaghat won the coveted first prize in the inter-school competition for eastern zone level bands (female brass bands category) held on 22 December in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The school represented the State of Tripura in the competition. The competition was organised by the Indian Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the "Central Board of Secondary Education" - CBSE, in Delhi. During the closing ceremony, in which the winners were announced, the Minister of Revenue and Education of the State of Odisha also spoke, handing the trophy to Mrs Athukiri Debbarma, Head of the school team, and the other girls. The next commitment for the band is now the national competition, scheduled in Delhi from 21 to 22 January 2024.