Bhubaneswar, Nov 12: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday advised students to use mobile phones primarily as tools for learning rather than entertainment and urged them to distinguish reliable information from misleading content available online.

Addressing students at the inauguration of the three-day state-level children’s festival ‘Surabhi-2026’ in Bhubaneswar, Majhi emphasised the importance of skill development, digital awareness and practical knowledge, saying that skills, rather than degrees alone, are the real guarantee of employment.

The festival, organised under the theme ‘Rich Language, Prosperous Odisha’, brought together more than 2,500 talented students from across the state.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister presented the prestigious Chief Minister’s Education Awards to 375 individuals and institutions, recognising their contributions to education.

Nabarangpur, Cuttack and Kalahandi districts were also honoured. The awards programme for 2024 and 2025 has earmarked financial incentives exceeding Rs 138.97 crore at various levels.

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Additionally, 7,350 meritorious students across Odisha are being awarded the Chief Minister’s Odia Language Scholarship of Rs 7,500 annually each to encourage excellence in their mother tongue. Ten outstanding students and four CHSE toppers were felicitated at the event.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated 807 modern robotics laboratories across government schools, established with an investment of Rs 164.33 crore to strengthen foundational education. Students from Classes VI to X will gain practical exposure to robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning and 3D printing through these laboratories.