Bhubaneswar: Chief Minster Naveen Patnak on Friday announced that the state government would construct 100 more hostels for accommodation of SC and ST students.
Speaking at the concluding function of Sargiful Mahotsav-2022, organised by SC/ST Development department at Adivasi Ground in Bhubaneswar, the chief minister said at present more than 5 lakh students belonging to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities are staying in the hostels across the state. More accommodation facilities would be taken up to encourage the students get education by December 2023, he added.
Naveen called upon the students to march ahead in life with a competitive spirit. Stating that Odia children are no less than those of any state in the country, he said if they strived with determination, they can excel and move ahead of others.
Citing the example of former Indian hockey captain Dilip Tirkey, the chief minister said he has been able to become president of Hockey India, one of the top posts in the country, due to his efforts and determination. The students of the two communities should emulate him as a role model and make Odisha proud, he advised.
Naveen congratulated the students who have emerged successful in Matric examinations and released a souvenir titled ‘Sargiful’ on the occasion. Minister of SC & ST Development Jagannath Saraka also spoke on the occasion.
It may be noted that Sargiful Mahotsav has been organised for 12 years in the state. This year, around 1200 students and 170 teachers participated in the function. The students, who excelled in competitions like debate, quiz, science exhibition, creative writing, music and sports, organised for the occasion earlier, were awarded at the function.
