Cuttack, Sept 5: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday interacted with students during a Teachers’ Day celebration at the Secondary Board High School in Cuttack and urged them to remain focused on their studies and career goals instead of spending excessive time on social media.
Addressing the students, Majhi said their primary responsibility as students is to study well, develop skills and contribute to the development of themselves as well as the country.
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He advised students to stay away from activities that could become obstacles in building their careers and encouraged them to study with dedication and focus.
CM Highlights Importance of Guru-Shishya Bond
Speaking about the relationship between teachers and students, the Chief Minister said the bond should become more friendly and supportive in the present era.
He also urged students to seek the blessings of their parents, teachers and elders while working towards achieving success in life.
Majhi said education is not merely about acquiring knowledge but is a great process of building individuals and shaping character. He highlighted the timeless importance of the guru-shishya tradition in Indian culture.
On the birth anniversary of former President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the Chief Minister paid tribute to him and recalled the contribution of teachers in shaping some of India's greatest personalities.
From Lord Rama and Lord Krishna to Chandragupta Maurya and Swami Vivekananda, he said, teachers played a decisive role in shaping the lives of great personalities. He also recalled former President and ‘Missile Man’ Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who took immense pride in identifying himself first as a teacher.
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Odisha's KG-to-PG Free Education Initiative
The Chief Minister also spoke about the state government's initiatives to transform Odisha's education system.
He highlighted the ‘KG to PG’ free education scheme, stating that Odisha has become the first state in India to make education universally free from Shishu Vatika to postgraduate level.
He said the government is constructing 2,200 world-class Godabarish Mishra Model Primary Schools at an estimated cost of ₹12,000 crore.
Around 45,000 Shishu Vatika centres have also been opened for pre-school children, according to the Chief Minister.
The government has also extended mid-day meals and textbooks to students of Classes IX and X and introduced the Shaheed Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Yojana for tribal students.
Majhi reiterated the government's commitment to filling 45,000 teacher vacancies within the next three years.
Alumni to Help Transform Government Schools
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the involvement of former students in school development through the ‘Panchasakha Shiksha Setu’ initiative under the School and Mass Education Department.
He said the collective contribution of teachers' knowledge, students' talent, alumni experience and public participation can help build a stronger, prosperous and self-reliant Odisha.
During the Teachers’ Day celebration, several teachers who have made dedicated contributions to teaching and shaping the future of students were also felicitated and awarded.
The Chief Minister's interaction with students came as Odisha joined the nation in observing Teachers’ Day, honouring educators and remembering Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, whose birth anniversary is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India.
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