Bhubaneswar, Dec, 26: The much-awaited Sargi Phool Festival–2025 has commenced. The three-day festival was inaugurated by Shri Nityananda Gond, Hon’ble Minister for School & Mass Education; Scheduled Tribe & Scheduled Caste Development; Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare; Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
The state-level festival is organized under the aegis of the Adivasi Language and Culture Academy, functioning under the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department. Addressing students belonging to Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, the Hon’ble Minister said that the Sargi Phool Festival helps generate limitless hope and joy among children. He added that children possess the capability to represent the state with excellence, and this festival serves as an innovative platform to bring the talents of ST and SC students to the forefront and further develop their skills.
Among other dignitaries present were Shri B. Parameswaran, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department; Shri Surendra Kumar Meena, Additional Secretary; Shri Laxman Kumar Mallik, Director, Scheduled Caste Development; Smt. Yugaleswari Dash, Director, Other Backward Classes; and Shri Sudhakar Sabar, Director, SC & ST Research and Training Institute and Member Secretary of the Adivasi Language and Culture Academy.
Highlighting the department’s achievements, the Minister said that more than 5.5 lakh students are currently studying in 1,765 educational institutions and 5,963 hostels. Additionally, 235 new hostels have been approved for students of Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Through the Madho Singh Hat Kharcha Scheme, incentive assistance is being provided to students enrolled in Classes IX and XI. He also emphasized that enhancement of pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for SC and ST students would significantly contribute to their academic development.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary, in his welcome address, elaborated on the various activities of the Sargi Phool programme. He informed that students and teachers from departmental Ashram Schools, Sevashrams, High Schools, Residential Schools, and Eklavya Model Residential Schools from all districts of the state participate in this festival. He added that the festival is equally beneficial for teachers as it is for students.
On the inaugural occasion, 10 SC and ST students who performed exceptionally well in the 2025 Class X Board Examination were felicitated by the chief guest with certificates of appreciation, mementos, and books. The awarded students included:
Nirmal Dehury (Angul), Gitisuddha Nayak (Keonjhar), Juspina Mandal (Gajapati), Soumyaranjan Kahar (Kandhamal), Dalini Murmu (Mayurbhanj), Anushree Badarayeta (Gajapati), Urmila Bhatra (Nabarangpur), Bipasha Bhuyan (Gajapati), Pinki Kalka (Rayagada), and Basanti Mahanand (Bargarh).
It is noteworthy that the Sargi Phool Festival, supported by the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, is conducted every year at the school, block, and district levels, culminating in a state-level celebration. The festival was first launched in 2010 with the objective of nurturing the inherent talents of children.
This year, 1,160 students from departmental Ashram Schools, Sevashrams, High Schools, Residential Schools, and Eklavya Model Residential Schools across all districts are participating. A state-level science exhibition has been organized as part of the three-day festival, featuring 40 stalls with participation of 80 students and 40 guide teachers. A volleyball competition involving 112 participants will be held at Tapoban High School.
In addition, 22 competitions will be conducted across 16 pavilions, including drawing, music, debate, quiz, dance, and slogan writing. Moreover, 27 workshops will be organized on activities such as child journalism, mathematical games, mural art, traditional games, storytelling, glass painting, Chhau dance, poster making, and painting, among others.
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