Bhubaneswar: Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Hirli, in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district has earned national recognition by securing the second position in the prestigious National Level Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) Competition.
The contest, organised by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj brought together nearly 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools from across the country to promote grassroots democratic participation among students.
The MYGS National Award Ceremony took place on January 28 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Students of EMRS Hirli, accompanied by their principal and guide teacher, were felicitated for their outstanding performance. The team received a cash award o
f Rs 75 lakh along with a commemorative memento from Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
“This achievement marks a proud moment for Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Odisha, the Odisha Model Tribal Education Society (OMTES), and the state as a whole. The success reflects the school’s commitment to nurturing leadership, civic awareness, and participatory democratic values among tribal youth,” an official release said.
The Model Youth Gram Sabha initiative, modelled after simulations like Model UN, encourages students to engage in mock Gram Sabha proceedings, role-playing key village governance roles to build awareness of local self-governance and Panchayati Raj principles.
The students and Principal of EMRS Hirli expressed gratitude Chairman of OMTES and Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the STSC Development B Parameswaran, Secretary of OMTES Surendra Kumar Meena, and Nodal Officer of OMTES Pranati Patro. The officials lauded the team’s dedication, teamwork, and exemplary engagement in democratic practices, which contributed significantly to this national-level success.