BHUBANESWAR : The state government has approved construction of 235 new hostels for students of scheduled tribes (STs) and other backward classes (OBCs), said ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare minister Nityananda Gond on Thursday.
Inaugurating the Sargiful Festival 2025 here, the minister said at present, over 5.5 lakh students from these communities are studying in 1,765 educational institutions and residing in 5,963 hostels of the state.
“Incentives are being provided to students enrolled in Class IX and XI under Madho Singh Haath Kharcha scheme. The enhancement of pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for SC and ST students announced recently will also contribute to their educational development significantly,” he said.
At the festival, Gond said Sargiful brings immense hope and joy among children and provides a powerful platform to showcase and nurture the hidden talents of ST and SC students.
“Students participating in the festival possess the potential to represent the state at higher levels and excel in various fields,” he added.
The three-day state-level festival is being organised under the aegis of the Academy of Tribal Language and Culture. Department secretary B Parameswaran said students and teachers from departmental ashram schools, sevashram schools, high schools, residential schools and Eklavya model residential schools from all 30 districts of the state are participating in the festival.
On the first day, 10 meritorious SC/ST students who excelled in the 2025 Class X board examination were felicitated. As part of the festival, a state-level science fair has been organised, featuring 40 stalls with participation of 80 students and 40 guide teachers.
The festival will also host 27 workshops on activities such as child journalism, mathematic games, mural art, puppetry, storytelling, glass painting, Chhau dance, poster making and drawing.