Bhubaneswar: As many as 50,000 students from 1037 schools of the state gathered at Baramunda ground here Sunday to sing Bande Utkala Janani the state anthem and Vande Mataram at the Children’s Festival organised by Bharatiya Shiksha Vikash Sansthan.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was the chief guest of the function. He launched a special oil painting on Utkala Janani painted by artist Chintamani Biswal. The state anthem was directed by Laxmikanta Palit.
In his address Patnaik conveyed his New Year greetings and asked people to work for the development of the country and state.
The Chief Minister also interacted with students and gave them autographs as well. Sasikanta Jena, one of the student, said that Chief Minister encouraged us to work hard and focus on our career. The students also gave their proposal for improving the educational infra etc, which he heard happily. They also thanked him for organising world class sporting events such as Asian Athletic championship and Hockey World Cup in city.
Food Supplies and Cooperation Minister Surya Narayan Patro, Sports and Youth Services Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Kumar Patasani and other dignitaries along with large number of teachers and students were present at the event.
Notably, 2,88,000 students are receiving education in 1037 schools run by Bharatiya Shiksha Vikash Sansthan in the state.
Dec 13 last year another such event called Voice of Unity’ had been organised by Initiative for Moral and Cultural Training Foundation at OUAT ground in city, where around 25,000 students gathered together to sing Vande Mataram.
PNN