Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the three-day state-level children’s festival ‘Surabhi-2026’ at the Capital High School Ground in Unit-III here Thursday and launched modern robotics labs in 807 government schools across the state.
Organised by School and Mass Education (S&ME) Department, the annual festival is being held under the theme ‘Prosperous Language, Prosperous Odisha’, bringing together more than 2,500 talented students from different parts of Odisha.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the launch of several major education initiatives, including the ‘Nipun App’ to strengthen foundational learning and modern robotics labs in 807 government schools across the state. The robotics laboratory initiative involves an investment of Rs 164.33 crore.
On the occasion, Majhi presented the prestigious Chief Minister’s Education Awards to outstanding teachers, students, educational institutions and districts for their contributions to the education sector. Nabarangpur, Kataka and Kalahandi districts were among those recognised for their achievements.
A total of 375 individuals and institutions were honoured under the state-level Chief Minister’s Education Awards for 2024 and 2025. The government has earmarked financial incentives amounting to Rs 138.97 crore under the award scheme, covering achievements from the block level to the state level.
In another significant initiative to promote the Odia language, 7,350 meritorious students across Odisha are being awarded the Chief Minister’s Odia Language Scholarship, carrying an annual financial assistance of Rs 7,500 each. At the ceremony, 10 outstanding students and four CHSE toppers were felicitated.
The CM inaugurated robotics laboratories in 807 schools to provide students with practical exposure to emerging technologies. Under the plan, students from Classes VI to X will have opportunities to learn robotics, coding, AI, machine learning and 3D printing through these facilities. Recalling his experience as a teacher before entering politics, Majhi said he had attended the programme not merely as the CM but also as a teacher, as the educator within him naturally comes alive whenever he visits schools or student-centric programmes.
Emphasising the importance of childhood in shaping an individual’s future, he compared children to raw clay that can be moulded into meaningful forms through proper education, training, values and guidance.
He urged parents and teachers to work together to nurture children into responsible citizens. Offering important advice to students, the CM stressed the need to adapt to changing times and develop the ability to distinguish between authentic information and misleading content in the digital age.
He advised students to use mobile phones primarily as tools for education and learning rather than entertainment.
