Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the state-level children’s festival Surabhi-2025 at Capital High School, Unit-3, Bhubaneswar, on November 12.
More than 2,000 students participated in the three-day event.
The Chief Minister emphasised that Surabhi is not just a festival but a platform to nurture dreams, creativity, and talent. He interacted with students, visited exhibitions, and awarded achievers in arts, science, commerce, and vocational education. Devendra Khamaria, Sushil Kumar Nayak, Swarna Rekha Mantri, and Supriya Sutar received cash prizes of Rs. 20,000 each. He also awarded five students with language scholarships and distributed wheelchairs to disabled children.
Over 2,400 students, teachers, and more than 1,000 government officials joined the festival. This year, Surabhi included participation from Class I to III students under the “Nipun Odisha-Nipun Bharat” program.
The Chief Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to quality education from pre-primary to higher secondary levels. He noted initiatives such as Godavarish Model Primary School, PM-Shri Yojana, and the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020. He announced that Odisha has started child care centres in 45,000 schools and allocated Rs. 41,273 crore for education in the current budget, which accounts for 14.2 per cent of the state budget.
Education Minister Nityananda Gond addressed the gathering and stressed that primary, secondary, higher secondary, and higher education must grow together to strengthen the state’s education system.
The festival featured competitions, cultural programs, science exhibitions, workshops, local tours, and a Model United Nations pavilion. Distinguished guests, including MLA Babu Singh, Commissioner Dr N. Tirumala Naik, and other senior officials, attended the event.
Surabhi-2025 continues until November 14, offering students a unique opportunity to showcase hidden talents and build confidence.
