Education Minister felicitates students at the state-level event
Bhubaneswar, October 12, 2026:
The state-level Seva Sankalpa Abhiyan programme was organised today under the aegis of the School and Mass Education Department at Government High School, Unit-I, Bhubaneswar. Shri Nityanand Gond, Minister, School and Mass Education attended the programme as the Chief Guest and appreciated the participation and collaborative efforts of the department in the Seva Sankalpa Abhiyan.
Among the distinguished guests present on the occasion were Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Shri Babu Singh, Central-Bhubaneswar MLA Shri Ananta Narayan Jena, Ward No. 40 Corporator Asiya Begum, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the department Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, Special Secretary Shri Durga Prasad Mohapatra, and State Project Director (I/c), OSEPA Smt. Sangeeta Behera.
The state government has undertaken several public service-oriented initiatives under the Seva Sankalpa Abhiyan, guided by the principles of cleanliness, service and commitment. As part of the campaign, Debate and painting competitions on the theme “Mo Swapna ra Bharat” were organised in more than 48,000 schools across the state, with the participation of over 10 lakh students.
Through their paintings and creative expressions, students portrayed their viksit Bharat and brought their ideas for building a developed nation to life. Minister Shri Nityananda Gond observed that the students had vividly expressed their vision of a developed India through their artwork.
Addressing the gathering as a distinguished guest, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Shri Babu Singh emphasised the need to draw inspiration from the principles and ideals of previous generations to build a developed Odisha. He expressed confidence that the active contribution of students would accelerate the state’s development across various sectors and help Odisha emerge as one of the best-performing states in the country. MLA Shri Ananta Narayan Jena also congratulated the students and appreciated the department’s efforts.
During the programme, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr. N. Thirumala Naik delivered the welcome address and highlighted the achievements of the department under the Seva Sankalpa Abhiyan. He informed that a total of 12.5 lakh students, parents, community members, teachers and other stakeholders participated in the campaign across all schools in the 30 districts of Odisha.
The competitions were organised in a phased manner, beginning at the school level and progressing to the block, district and state levels. An exhibition showcasing students’ drawings was also organised as part of the campaign, providing a platform for students to display their creativity and ideas.
At today’s state-level event, 180 students participated in the competitions. Among them, 18 outstanding students were felicitated for their performance in drawing and speech competitions across three categories.
The initiative aimed to encourage creativity, civic responsibility and a spirit of service among students while inspiring them to contribute towards the vision of a developed India and a developed Odisha.
