Bhubaneswar: The three-day State-Level Children’s Festival ‘Suravi-2026’, celebrating the creativity, talent and potential of young students from across Odisha, concluded today with great enthusiasm and joy on the occasion of Children’s Day.
Nityananda Gond, Minister, School and Mass Education attended the valedictory ceremony as the Chief Guest.
The occasion was graced by Sulochana Das, Mayor, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, School and Mass Education Department, Jugaleswari Dash, Director, DSE, Balamukunda Bhuyan, Director, DEE and Sangeeta Behera, SPD (I/c), OSEPA among other dignitaries.
Delivering the valedictory address, Minister stated that the true strength of a nation lies in its educated, aware and skilled youth. He further emphasized that the Government is making continuous efforts to ensure that every child has access to quality education, equal opportunities and a safe learning environment.
He highlighted that the Government is giving priority to the development of school infrastructure, improvement in the quality of teaching, capacity building of teachers and promotion of digital and technology-based education. Alongside, special emphasis is being laid on nurturing scientific temper, creativity, sportsmanship and cultural talents among students.
The Minister observed that every child is the hope of a family, the potential of society and the future of the nation. Therefore, creating a healthy, inclusive and opportunity-rich environment to help children realise their dreams is the collective responsibility of all.
Encouraging the students, he urged them to remain committed to their goals and emphasized that dedication, discipline and hard work are the keys to achieving success.
Addressing the students, Mayor Sulochana Das said that children from every corner of the State eagerly look forward to participating in Suravi every year. The festival provides a valuable platform for young learners to showcase their talents and abilities. She appreciated the School and Mass Education Department for organising the festival on such a grand scale.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr. N. Thirumala Naik encouraged students to continue participating in Suravi with the same enthusiasm in the coming years. She advised them to nurture their inherent talents, refine their skills and prepare themselves for future opportunities. She also expressed her gratitude to all officers, teachers, parents and stakeholders for their contribution to the successful organisation of the festival.
On the occasion, the Minister formally launched ‘Padhiba Gadhiba, Odisha Pustakamala’ and the quarterly magazine ‘Akshara O Anka’. As part of the initiative, 300 new age-appropriate reading materials (Readers) were unveiled to promote reading habits and strengthen foundational literacy skills among students.
The quarterly magazine ‘Akshara O Anka’, featuring the achievements and innovative initiatives of the NIPUN Odisha Mission along with creative artworks by students, was also launched to encourage learning, creativity and the exchange of innovative educational practices.
During this year’s Suravi festival, various competitions were organised for students from Classes IV to XII, including drawing, quiz, essay writing, elocution, creative writing, music, debate and Odia handwriting. At the valedictory ceremony, distinguished guests felicitated talented students who secured top positions in different competitions with trophies and certificates. Three districts that delivered outstanding performances in cultural programmes were also awarded.
The State-Level Suravi festival witnessed the participation of more than 2,500 students and accompanying teachers, along with over 1,000 government officers and officials.
The three-day festival featured a wide range of educational, creative and cultural activities, including competitions, educational excursions, ‘Meet the Personality’ interactions, exhibitions of outstanding science projects, a Model United Nations Pavilion, workshops, exhibitions and group cultural performances.
A total of 21 stalls were set up showcasing various flagship initiatives and programmes, including Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman, Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana, World Skill Centre, Inclusive Education and Centres of Excellence in Sports. Other highlights included career awareness and guidance, the State Institute of Open Schooling, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Residential Hostels and the Shree Anna Abhiyan.
Creative workshops on paper folding and Sakhi Kandhei (traditional puppet) performances were also organised, providing students with opportunities to explore traditional art forms and develop their creative skills.
