Odisha Manaska Discusses Whether Education Creates Equal Citizens in a Diverse Society

Bhubaneswar: The 14th edition of Odisha Manaska, the monthly discussion forum of All Things Odisha, was held on Sunday at the head office of ExtraOdinari and Safe Odisha For Her, Sahid Nagar, drawing participants from diverse walks of life. This month’s theme, “Does Education Truly Create Equal Citizens in a Diverse Society?”, sparked insightful reflections and debates.

The forum, envisioned as a democratic space for dialogue, brings together individuals from varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds to share their experiences and perspectives. This session focused on the role of education in shaping identities and influencing how citizens engage with society.

Participants shared how education had played a role in defining their current identities, while many also highlighted the challenges faced by those deprived of quality education. Several speakers noted that the present education system often deepens social divides instead of bridging them, as inequalities persist across communities. Concerns were raised that the system’s job-oriented approach limits its transformative potential, with calls for education to prioritize wisdom, critical thinking, and social awareness.

Despite these concerns, the discussion concluded on an optimistic note, with participants expressing hope that a more inclusive and holistic approach to education could drive societal transformation in the future.

The session was moderated by Sandip Kumar Bal and Sonali Priyadarsini of All Things Odisha. Among the participants were actor Partha Sarathi Ray, entrepreneur Anurag Behera, and Safe Odisha For Her founder Pranay Manjari, along with several young voices who enriched the conversation with their insights.

Launched in August 2024, Odisha Manaska is an initiative of All Things Odisha to create a physical platform for collective dialogue on identity, society, and the lived realities of people in Odisha.