In Mayurbhanj, Odisha, a significant achievement has been recorded as 40 tribal students have secured seats in engineering colleges, with two of them gaining admission to National Institutes of Technology (NITs). This development follows the district’s dedicated programs, ‘Medhabhi Mayurbhanj’ and the ‘Achievers’ initiative, which aim to enhance access to professional education.
The ‘Medhabhi Mayurbhanj’ initiative is part of the district administration’s broader educational strategy designed to improve literacy and learning outcomes from primary through higher secondary education. Within this framework, the ‘Achievers’ initiative was specifically created to prepare tribal students for competitive professional exams, including those for engineering and medical courses.
Mayurbhanj District Magistrate Hemakanta Say shared insights with ANI, explaining that these programs aim to provide better educational opportunities for tribal students by offering tailored coaching and academic assistance. “We initiated ‘Medhabhi Mayurbhanj’ alongside the ‘Achievers’ initiative. Last year, approximately 16 to 17 students secured admissions to engineering colleges, and this year, we intensified the selection process,” Say noted.
Coaching sessions were held in Bangriposi for students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools and SSD Department institutions. Students underwent an entrance examination, and about 40 to 50 of them received complimentary meals and coaching to prepare for medical and engineering entrance tests.
As of now, approximately 40 students have been chosen for engineering programs in various fields such as Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering, with two students admitted to NIT and the rest to State Engineering Colleges. The counseling process is still in progress, with hopes for more selections, according to the District Magistrate.
The district administration has noted a significant increase in the number of students gaining admission to engineering colleges compared to the previous year, which saw only 16 to 17 students successfully enroll.
Highlighting the impact of these initiatives, one of the students who was accepted into NIT Jamshedpur for Electrical Engineering hails from a farming family.
Say emphasized that these accomplishments represent a crucial milestone for students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. “We aim to increase NIT admissions in the future. The student who gained entry into NIT Jamshedpur comes from a modest background, with his father being a small farmer. This achievement is a significant step for their family, ensuring a brighter future and an improved standard of living for the next generation, while also promoting societal integration and empowerment,” he stated.
The district administration is also focused on enhancing the educational infrastructure for tribal students through central government initiatives such as PM-JANMAN and Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyaan, all aimed at creating improved learning environments for tribal youth.
Officials noted that the success of these students is motivating other children in Mayurbhanj’s villages to pursue higher education and aspire for professional careers. Additionally, the district administration is working on preparations for medical entrance examinations, with the goal of enabling more students from the region to gain admission to government medical colleges in the future.
