Bhubaneswar: In a significant push for child-centric development, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the three-day state-level children's festival, ‘Surbhi-2025’, at Capital High School in Unit-3 on Tuesday. The Chief Minister declared that nurturing the dreams and potential of every child remains the state government's highest priority. 
CM Majhi Inaugurates Surbhi-2025,Pledges for Child Development


Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Shri Majhi emphasized the foundational role children play in society. "Children are our future and our hope. It is our fundamental duty to provide them with the guidance and opportunities to realize their dreams," he stated. The festival, he noted, is a direct reflection of this commitment.
The Chief Minister outlined the government's continuous efforts to enhance the quality of education from pre-primary to the higher secondary level (Class XII). He highlighted the successful implementation of several key initiatives, including the transformation of schools under the 'Godavarish' model primary schools and the ambitious PM-Shri scheme. Furthermore, he confirmed that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is now being effectively executed across all educational tiers, from schools to universities.
In a major announcement for early childhood care, Shri Majhi revealed that the state will appoint 'Shisu Sevikas' (child caregivers) in 45,000 schools across Odisha. These Sevikas will operate 'Shishu Batikas' (child gardens) to ensure proper care and foundational education for young children.

Substantial Budgetary Allocation for Education

Demonstrating a firm financial commitment, the Chief Minister detailed the government's massive investment in the education sector. "In the current state budget, our government has allocated ₹41,273 crore for education," he announced. He elaborated that this amount constitutes 14.2% of the total state budget and 3.9% of Odisha's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He pointed out that this level of financial dedication to education is a feat achieved by only a few states in the country. A lion's share of this budget is specifically directed toward strengthening primary education.

Surbhi: A Platform for Talent and Creativity

Chief Minister Majhi described the 'Surbhi' festival as more than just a celebratory event. He called it a crucial platform for the holistic development of a child's talent. "‘Surbhi’ is not merely a festival; it is a stage for every child's dream, creativity, and innate talent to flourish. It is a unique platform to bring student potential into the public eye," he expressed.

Minister Stresses on Holistic Educational Development

Attending the event as the guest of honour, Minister for Mass Education, Shri Nityananda Gond, echoed the Chief Minister's sentiments. He stressed that a robust education system requires parallel development at all levels. "Our education system comprises various tiers—primary, secondary, higher secondary, and higher education. The comprehensive development of our state's education sector is only possible when we ensure progress at every single stage," Shri Gond stated.
The inaugural ceremony saw the presence of several dignitaries, including MLA Babu Singh, Mass Education Secretary N. Tirumala Naik, OSEPA State Project Director Ananya Das, Director of Secondary Education Birendra Korkora, and Director of Higher Secondary Education Niyati Pattanayak.

Celebrating and Encouraging Excellence

The event also served as a moment to celebrate and reward academic excellence. The Chief Minister presented cash awards of ₹20,000 each to the top-performing students in the annual Class 10 board examinations. The recipients were Debendra Khamaria (Arts), Sushil Kumar Nayak (Science), Swarnarekha Mantri (Commerce), and Supriya Sutar (Vocational Education).
Additionally, the government recognized five students for the Chief Minister's Language Scholarship. In a move promoting inclusivity and accessibility, wheelchairs were distributed to specially-abled students during the function, underscoring the administration's focus on creating an enabling environment for all children.
The 'Surbhi-2025' festival is set to host a variety of competitions and cultural programs over the next three days, providing a vibrant arena for thousands of young participants from across Odisha to showcase their skills and creativity.