Sargiful Festival 2025 commences, 1,160 participants from 30 districts take part
Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty):
The much-awaited Sargiful Festival 2025 was inaugurated on Thursday by Nityanand Gond, Minister, School and Mass Education, Scheduled Tribe & Scheduled Caste Development, Minority & Backward Classes Welfare, Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The three-day state-level festival is being organised under the aegis of the Academy of Tribal Language and Culture Academy under Scheduled Tribe & Scheduled Caste Development, Minority & Backward Classes Welfare Department. Senior officials present on the occasion included B. Parameswaran, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Surendra Kumar Meena, Additional Secretary, Laxman Kumar Mallik, Director, SC, Jugaleswari Dash, Director, OBC and Sudhakar Sabor, Director, SCSTRTI and Member Secretary, ATLC.
Addressing the students at the inaugural ceremony, the Minister said that Sargiful brings immense hope and joy among children and provides a powerful platform to showcase and nurture the hidden talents of Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste students.
He added that students participating in the festival possess the potential to represent the state at higher levels and excel in various fields.
Highlighting the achievements of the department, the Minister informed that more than 5.5 lakh students are currently studying in 1,765 educational institutions and 5,963 hostels. He further stated that 235 new hostels have been approved for Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Class students. Under the Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme, incentive amounts are being provided to students enrolled in Class IX and XI. Enhancement of pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for SC and ST students, he added, will significantly contribute to their educational development.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary elaborated on the objectives and structure of the Sargiful programme. He said that 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. He noted that the festival is equally beneficial for both students and teachers.
On the inaugural day, 10 meritorious SC/ST students who performed excellently in the 2025 Class X Board Examination were felicitated by the Chief Guest with certificates, mementoes and books. Sargiful Festival has been organised annually since 2010, starting from the school, block and district levels and culminating at the state level.
The festival aims to promote creativity, confidence and holistic development among students. This year, 1,160 students from all districts of Odisha are participating in the state-level event.
As part of Sargiful 2025, a state-level Science Fair has been organised, featuring 40 stalls with participation of 80 students and 40 guide teachers. A volleyball tournament involving 112 participants will be held at Tapoban High School.
Additionally, 22 competitions will be conducted across 16 pavilions, including painting, music, debate, quiz, dance and slogan writing. The festival will also host 27 workshops on activities such as child journalism, mathematics games, mural art, puppetry, storytelling, glass painting, Chhau dance, poster making and drawing. The three-day festival celebrates creativity, culture and innovation, providing a vibrant platform for young talents of the state to flourish.
