Bhubaneswar, Aug 11: The Odisha government will organise a State-Level Geeta Chanting Competition and Geeta Jnana Pariksha for school, college and university students across the state.

According to a communication issued by the Department of Higher Education on August 7, the programmes will be organised by Prajnana Mission and will focus on the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Atmasamyam Yoga.

The state-level Geeta Chanting Competition will be held on December 26 and 27 at Hariharananda Gurukulam, Balighai, in Puri district. Students who emerge victorious in district-level competitions will qualify for the state-level event. State-level winners will receive one-year scholarships.

The department has clarified that no participation fee will be charged for the Geeta Chanting Competition.

The State-Level Geeta Jnana Pariksha will also be conducted under the initiative. The examination date and other details will be announced separately by the organisers. Students wishing to appear for the examination will have to register online and pay the prescribed examination fee.

The Department of Higher Education has urged universities as well as government and non-government-aided colleges to encourage interested students to participate.

An Odia booklet prepared by the organisers has also been circulated among educational institutions to help students learn about the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

The initiative aims to provide students across Odisha with an opportunity to learn the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita while participating in district- and state-level competitions.