The three-day State-Level Children’s Festival, ‘Suravi-2026,’ concluded on a vibrant and celebratory note in Bhubaneswar today, coinciding with Children’s Day.
Bringing together more than 2,500 students and teachers from every corner of Odisha, the festival served as a grand showcase of young talent, scientific temper, and cultural heritage.
Minister for School and Mass Education, Nityananda Gond, graced the valedictory ceremony as the Chief Guest, alongside Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Sulochana Das, S&ME Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, and other senior officials.
New Initiatives to Strengthen Foundational Literacy
Marking a major milestone for school education in the state, Minister Nityananda Gond formally launched two significant educational initiatives during the ceremony: ‘Padhiba Gadhiba, Odisha Pustakamala’ and the quarterly magazine ‘Akshara O Anka.’
Under the Padhiba Gadhiba initiative, 300 new age-appropriate reading materials (Readers) were unveiled to cultivate strong reading habits and bolster foundational literacy among young learners. Meanwhile, Akshara O Anka will spotlight the milestones and innovative practices of the NIPUN Odisha Mission alongside creative artworks contributed by students themselves.
“Every Child is the Future of the Nation”
Delivering the valedictory address, Minister Gond emphasised that the true strength of a nation lies in its educated, aware, and skilled youth. Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to transforming the educational landscape, he noted that top priority is being given to upgrading school infrastructure, teacher capacity building, and promoting digital education while keeping a safe, inclusive environment at the core.
“Every child is the hope of a family, the potential of society, and the future of the nation,” the Minister observed, urging students to remain focused on their goals. “Dedication, discipline, and hard work are the true keys to achieving success.”
BMC Mayor Sulochana Das lauded the School and Mass Education Department for organising the event on such a grand scale, noting that Suravi has become an eagerly awaited annual platform where children from across Odisha get to shine. Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr. N. Thirumala Naik encouraged students to continuously refine their inherent talents and thanked the teachers, parents, and over 1,000 officials who worked behind the scenes to make the event a success.
Three Days of Learning, Culture, and Innovation
Over the last three days, students from Classes IV to XII competed in a wide spectrum of events—ranging from quiz, debate, and essay writing to Odia handwriting, elocution, drawing, and music. Beyond competitions, the festival offered rich experiential learning through:
- Interactive & Academic Zones: Science project exhibitions, a Model United Nations (MUN) Pavilion, educational excursions, and ‘Meet the Personality’ sessions.
- Traditional Arts: Hands-on workshops on paper folding and captivating Sakhi Kandhei (traditional string puppet) performances.
- 21 Thematic Stalls: Exhibitions highlighting flagship programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman, Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana, World Skill Centre, Shree Anna Abhiyan, and Centres of Excellence in Sports.
The ceremony concluded with distinguished guests felicitating the competition winners with trophies and certificates, while three districts were specially awarded for their outstanding cultural performances.
