Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Saturday performed the customary ‘Khadi Chhuan’ ritual, marking the beginning of studies, for first-time students at a function here and asserted that no child in the state would remain deprived of education.
Majhi, a teacher by profession, held the hands of children and guided them to write “Maa-Bapa” (mother-father) in Odia using chalk and slate at the Raj Bhavan Government Upper Primary School, the venue of the state-level ‘Khadi Chhuan’ programme. Interacting with children, the Chief Minister asked them their names, their fathers’ names and what they had eaten in the morning, keeping in mind their comfort and mindset.
He also visited an exhibition of content-based educational materials developed for children and distributed educational support kits among them. Majhi said the ritual is a sacred tradition in Odia culture, in which kids are introduced to education at a very tender age. The Chief Minister said the state government has distributed around 5 lakh invitation letters to parents to bring their children to ‘Sishu Vatika’ centres opened in various schools to boost enrolment.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is deprived of education and that learning becomes a source of interest and respect rather than fear. The ultimate goal, he stressed, is achieving 100 per cent enrolment. “We organise ‘Khadi Chhuan’ as a festival from the village level to the state capital.
The objective is to ensure that no child in the state is deprived of education. We are taking all steps to create interest among children and their parents towards education. Our goal is 100 per cent enrolment,” he said. According to the new education policy, the CM said anganwadis will be merged with the ‘Sishu Vatikas’ in a phased manner.
Calling upon media representatives to play an active role, Majhi described them as a vital bridge between government initiatives and the public, urging them to help transform the campaign into a statewide movement. He also advised teachers to nurture children with care and dedication, treat them as their own, and identify and develop their unique talents.
The programme was attended by School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gand, local MLAs and officials of the education department.