Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi addressed students on Saturday, urging them to refrain from spending excessive time on social media and to be wary of misinformation. During the Teachers’ Day (Guru Divas) celebration at Secondary Board High School in Kataka, he emphasized the necessity of pursuing studies with unwavering focus to build successful careers.
Majhi stressed that a student’s foremost responsibility is to excel academically, develop skills, and contribute not only to their personal growth but also to the advancement of the nation. He articulated that this is the fundamental goal of education, advising students to avoid distractions that could hinder their career paths.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the need for a more amicable relationship between teachers and students in contemporary society. He encouraged students to seek the support of their parents and educators while aspiring for the highest achievements. “Education builds people,” he remarked, elaborating that education transcends mere knowledge transfer and is a vital process in nurturing individuals, a duty that teachers fulfill with great dedication.
In honor of former President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on his birthday, Majhi recognized the unparalleled guru-shishya tradition in Indian culture, citing historical examples from Lord Rama and Lord Krishna to modern figures like Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who proudly identified as a teacher despite holding the nation’s highest office.
Regarding educational reforms, Majhi noted that Odisha stands as the first state to implement free and universal education from kindergarten to postgraduate levels. He elaborated on various initiatives undertaken:
- Construction of 2,200 state-of-the-art Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Primary Schools at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore
- Establishment of 45,000 Shishu Batikas for preschool children
- Provision of mid-day meals and textbooks for students in Classes 9 and 10
- Implementation of the Shahid Madho Singh Hata Kharcha Yojana for tribal students
- Recruitment to fill 45,000 teacher positions over the next three years
Majhi commended the Panchasakha Shiksha Setu initiative by the School and Mass Education Department, which engages alumni in transforming schools. He noted that Secondary Board High School boasts distinguished alumni like former MLA Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra and former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo, whose success exemplifies the institution’s legacy.
The Chief Minister called for collaboration among teachers, students, alumni, and the community to foster a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant Odisha.
During the event, several teachers, including Ashok Kumar Satapathy, Kumudini Jee, Shakuntala Mohanty, Daitari Sahu, and Jayanti Majhi, were honored for their commitment to education and for shaping the futures of their students. He acknowledged that such educators play an essential role in perpetuating the esteemed traditions of their schools.
Notable attendees included Mahanga MLA Sarada Prasad Pradhan, Kataka Sadar MLA Er Prakash Chandra Sethi, Choudwar-Kataka MLA Souvik Biswal, Banki MLA Devi Ranjan Tripathy, School and Mass Education Department Commissioner Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, Kataka Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, Board of Secondary Education President Srikanta Tarai, as well as school staff, students, and alumni.
