Sargiful Festival 2024: Celebrating the Talent and Culture of Odisha’s ST and SC Students

Bhubaneswar: The 2024 edition of the state-level Sargiful festival came to a vibrant conclusion, showcasing the artistic, cultural, and academic talents of Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) students from across Odisha. The event underscored the importance of nurturing young talent and fostering community pride.

Nityananda Gond, Minister of School and Mass Education, ST and SC Development, Minorities, Backward Classes Welfare, and Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, attended the event as the chief guest. In his address, Minister Gond highlighted the significance of “Sargiful,” symbolizing purity and progress, and praised the contributions of students in making the festival a grand success. “This festival is a testament to the talent and potential of our youth, and it inspires us to invest further in their development,” he said.

The festival provided a platform for students from departmental schools and hostels to showcase their skills and achievements. Minister Gond commended the organizers for their efforts and encouraged the students to aim for excellence in their future endeavors.

The valedictory ceremony included remarks by Scheduled Tribes Director Poma Tudu, who welcomed attendees and reflected on the festival’s success. Other dignitaries present were Scheduled Caste Director Laxman Kumar Mallick, Other Backward Classes Director Jugaleswari Dash, ATLC Joint Director Samarendra Bhutia, and Deputy Director Santosh Rath.

As part of the celebrations, 12 students from the Science, Commerce, and Arts streams were recognized for their outstanding performance in higher secondary examinations. Similarly, eight students from Ekalabya Adarsh Residential School were honored for their exceptional CBSE results. A total of 88 students received awards for excelling in various competitions held during the festival.

The event also featured the release of the special souvenir Sargiful 2024, unveiled by Minister Gond. Editor and Professor Dash Benhur and ATLC Joint Director Samarendra Bhutia were felicitated for their valuable contributions to the initiative.