NAYAGARH: (Report- Sanatan Mahakud): The Odisha Secondary School Teachers’ Association (OSTA) successfully organized the Ranpur Block Children's Festival recently. The event took place at Phulachandi Vidyapith in Patia. This festival aimed to showcase the hidden talents of young students and provide them with a platform to excel. 
Ranpur Hosts Vibrant OSTA Children’s Festival: Young Talents Shine


Event Highlights and Competitions

The celebrations began in the afternoon with the hoisting of the OSTA flag. President Kshirod Chandra Rautaray and Sarpanch Sumitra Sahoo performed the honors together. Following the opening ceremony, the organizers held competitions in ten different categories.
The categories included:
  • Academic and Literary: Debate, Poetry Writing, Story Writing, General Knowledge, and Quiz.
  • Performing Arts: Vocal Music, Recitation, Solo Acting, and Solo Dance.
  • Creative Arts: Drawing and Painting.
Students from various schools across the block participated with great energy and enthusiasm.

Distinguished Guests and Encouragement

In the evening, the organizers held a formal award ceremony to honor the winners. Kshirod Chandra Rautaray chaired the meeting. Pradeep Kumar Sahoo, the Block Education Officer of Tangi, Khordha, attended as the Chief Guest. Professor Nabakishore Samantaray joined as the Chief Speaker. Both guests delivered inspiring speeches to motivate the young students.
Several other prominent figures attended the event as honored guests, including Harapriya Gumansingh (Joint Secretary of OSTA Nayagarh), Educationist Kishore Chandra Bhanja, and Prasanna Kumar Rath. Local leaders like Sarpanch Sumitra Sahoo and former Sarpanch Prabhat Kumar Sahoo also graced the occasion to support the children. 
The event featured a panel of expert judges to ensure fair competition. Playwright Biren Kumar Sahoo, musician Purnachandra Behera, and Quiz Master Chittaranjan Dash evaluated the performances.

Moving to the District Level

Manoj Kumar Gumansingh, a senior member of OSTA, welcomed the guests and introduced them to the audience. Secretary Dibakar Paikaray concluded the event by offering a vote of thanks. The smooth management of the festival was credited to Headmaster Sansari Barik and teachers Anjan Kumar Gajendra and Narendra Kumar Bastia.
The organisers announced that the winners of the first and second prizes would move forward to the next stage. These students will participate in the District-Level Children's Festival. This upcoming event is scheduled for December 22 at Nabaghanpur in Nayagarh.