Bhubaneswar: Odisha PR & DW, Rural Development Minister Narayan Naik inaugurated the much-awaited Sargiful Utsav 2024 at the Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. He inaugurated the event in the presence of Dr. Poma Tudu, Director, ST, Laxman Ku Mallick, Director, SC, Banita Dash, FA-cum-Additional Secretary, Narayan Dhal, Additional Secretary.
Naik addressed the ST/SC students attending the state-level festival organized by the ST&SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department.
By addressing the students he said, “Tribals are nature worshippers. Over time, the tribal community used Sargiful or Sal Flower as food and later started worshipping it as a Jaahira, as Sargiful is a source of inspiration.”
“The Sargiful festival was started with the aim of enhancing the creativity of the youth. Our children have the skills and potential to represent the state, the main objective of organizing the festival is to showcase their inherent talent, qualities and creativity,” he added.
On this occasion, Mili Tudu from Jagatsinghpur, Suprabha Naik, Mahesh Mahar, Nandini Naik, Chumki Naik, Lovely Naik from Kalahandi, Krishna Tudu from Khordha, Suneli Pradhan from Sambalpur, Rashmita Bhatra from Nabarangpur, and Kabita Gamang from Gajapati were honoured by Hon’ble Minister with Rs 5000 cash prize, certificates and books.
The Minister also inaugurated the state-level science exhibition. A total of 80 students with 40 guide teachers have participated in 40 stalls. Various workshops will be organized for three days in 5 domes prepared on the theme of Ocean ecosystem conservation, eco-friendly environment, artificial intelligence, Indian space research, smart classrooms.
