Baripada: President Droupadi Murmu, who is on a three-day visit to Odisha, inaugurated new Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) campus at Kuliana in Mayurbhanj on Monday.
Governor Raghubar Das and Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu, among other dignitaries, were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that during her childhood there was no school near her home, because of which she had to leave home for study. “Many children were deprived of education at that time due to non-availability of a nearby school which is not the case today. With the opening of the Eklavya Model Residential School, local children will now have more opportunity for education,” she said, adding that education is the key to economic and social well-being.
Murmu also advised parents to educate their children.
Addressing the children, the President said that she also comes from a humble background like them. “I got the opportunity to serve the citizens, because of my education. Education can make you successful. Being an educated person, you can contribute to the progress of the country and society along with your own development,” she added.
Earlier in the day, Murmu had attended the inaugural session of the 36th Annual Conference and Literary Festival of All India Santali Writers’ Association at Baripada.
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Tudu had earlier told the media 87 EMRS have been allotted for Odisha of which 19 are being set up in Mayurbhanj district. Besides Kuliana, an EMRS in Baripada block is also ready for inauguration, he added.
These residential schools are being constructed over 10 to 12 acre with state-of-the-art facilities to empower tribal students by imparting quality education along with free boarding facilities separate for boys and girls within the campuses.
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