Bhubaneswar: The three-day State-Level Children’s Festival ‘Suravi-2026’, celebrating the creativity and talents of school students from across Odisha, concluded on Saturday on the occasion of Children’s Day, with School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond attending the valedictory ceremony as the Chief Guest.
The festival witnessed the participation of more than 2,500 students and accompanying teachers, along with over 1,000 government officers and officials. It featured a range of educational, cultural and creative activities, providing students with opportunities to showcase their abilities and gain exposure beyond the classroom.
Addressing the gathering, Gond said the strength of a nation lies in its educated, aware and skilled youth. He said the State Government was making continuous efforts to ensure access to quality education, equal opportunities and a safe learning environment for every child.
He highlighted the Government’s focus on improving school infrastructure, teaching quality, teacher capacity building and digital education. He also stressed the importance of nurturing scientific temper, creativity, sportsmanship and cultural talents among students.
Observing that every child represents the hopes of a family and the future of the nation, the Minister called for collective efforts to create an inclusive environment where children can realise their potential. He urged students to remain focused on their goals, adding that dedication, discipline and hard work were essential for success.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulochana Das said children from different parts of Odisha eagerly look forward to participating in Suravi every year. She described the festival as an important platform for young learners to showcase their talents and appreciated the School and Mass Education Department for organising the event on a large scale.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department, Dr N. Thirumala Naik, encouraged students to participate in the festival with the same enthusiasm in the coming years. She urged them to nurture their talents and develop their skills to prepare for future opportunities. She also acknowledged the contributions of officials, teachers, parents and other stakeholders in making the event successful.
A major highlight of the valedictory ceremony was the launch of ‘Padhiba Gadhiba, Odisha Pustakamala’ by the Minister. As part of the initiative, 300 age-appropriate reading materials, or Readers, were unveiled to promote reading habits and strengthen foundational literacy among students.
The quarterly magazine ‘Akshara O Anka’ was also launched. It features achievements and innovative initiatives under the NIPUN Odisha Mission, along with creative artworks by students, to encourage learning and the exchange of innovative educational practices.
During the festival, students from Classes IV to XII participated in various competitions, including drawing, quiz, essay writing, elocution, creative writing, music, debate and Odia handwriting. Students securing top positions in different competitions were felicitated with trophies and certificates. Three districts that delivered outstanding performances in cultural programmes were also recognised.
The three-day event featured educational excursions, ‘Meet the Personality’ interactions, exhibitions of science projects, a Model United Nations Pavilion, workshops and group cultural performances. A total of 21 stalls showcased various flagship initiatives and programmes, including Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman, Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana, World Skill Centre, Inclusive Education, Centres of Excellence in Sports, career guidance, State Institute of Open Schooling, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Residential Hostels and Shree Anna Abhiyan.
Creative workshops on paper folding and Sakhi Kandhei, a traditional puppet art form, also formed part of the festival, giving students an opportunity to explore traditional art and develop their creative skills.
