Bhubaneswar: Odisha is gearing up to host the 5th EMRS National Cultural and Literary Festival & Kala Utsav—‘UDBHAV,’ from November 12 to 15, 2024. Organized by the Department of STSC Development & M&BCW, Government of Odisha, and funded by the National Educational Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), the event will be held at Sikhya O Anusandhan University in Bhubaneswar.
Hon’ble Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram, Minister of State of Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey, and Minister of STSC Development M&BCW Department Nityananda Gond are set to inaugurate the festival. This year’s event is particularly special as it commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a revered national hero.
Over 1,300 students and 250 teachers from Ekalavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) representing 22 states will participate in the festival. Students will compete in 47 events, including storytelling, music, dance, debate, and elocution, as well as engage in innovative workshops to develop new skills and refine their talents. Each participant will receive a certificate, with awards presented to winners in each category.
To celebrate Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, the festival will feature two hours of evening performances each day by renowned local artists, exclusively for the students. Additionally, fun zones have been set up for students to unwind and enjoy recreational activities.
The event is designed to offer a comprehensive cultural experience, with a pan-Indian menu that includes popular Odia dishes served at the venue. Students are accommodated in hotels across Bhubaneswar and will travel to the venue in dedicated vehicles.
This four-day festival serves as a national platform, bringing together students from across India to celebrate learning, competition, and cultural diversity. The EMRS National Cultural and Literary Festival has previously been hosted in Dehradun (2023), Bengaluru (2022), Udaipur (2019), and Jamshedpur (2018).