Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inspired children across Odisha to dream big and work diligently during the inauguration of the ‘Utsaha’ program, organized by the Odisha State Child Protection Society (OSCPS) under the Women and Child Development Department.
The event, held at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium, brought together 580 children from 165 child care centres across the state.
Addressing the young audience, the Chief Minister underscored the importance of ambition and hard work. “The bigger the canvas of our dreams, the bigger the picture will be,” he remarked. He urged children to draw inspiration from icons like Neeraj Chopra and Sachin Tendulkar, channeling their creativity and determination toward success.
The program features the state-level children’s festival ‘Mahak’ on November 26-27 and the sports festival ‘Utsaha’ on November 28-29. The Chief Minister highlighted the role of sports in fostering discipline and self-confidence, emphasizing that such platforms enable children to explore their talents and interests. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to nurturing rural talent through initiatives like sports hostels, which have propelled many Odia athletes to the international stage.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo assured children from child care centres of the government’s unwavering support, likening its role to that of a parental figure. Women and Child Development Minister Parvati Parida and Sports Minister Suryabansi Suraj also attended the event, further emphasizing the government’s dedication to holistic child development.
The event culminated in the inauguration of a football match between teams representing Dhenkanal and Ganjam district child care centres, reflecting the spirit of competition and camaraderie fostered by the program.
The two-day ‘Utsaha’ program, coupled with ‘Mahak,’ exemplifies Odisha’s commitment to nurturing its future generation by providing them with platforms for self-expression, talent development, and inspiration.