Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi delivered a powerful address to young students, emphasizing the critical role of scientific thinking and innovation in nation-building. The event was the 52nd state-level children's science exhibition, held at DN High School in Keonjhar on Saturday.
Building a Self-Reliant India Through Science
Chief Minister Majhi directly appealed to the students, urging them to cultivate a scientific temper and critical thinking abilities. He stated that today's children must evolve into the scientists and innovators who will construct a self-reliant nation. Majhi positioned science and technology as the foremost drivers of civilizational progress.
"Science and technology play the biggest role in the development of a civilisation," Majhi told the gathered students. He elaborated that while art and culture fortify social traditions, it is science that forms the indispensable foundation for both social and economic advancement.
Connecting Ancient Heritage with Modern Learning
The Chief Minister rooted his call for scientific inquiry in India's rich historical legacy. He noted that the spirit of scientific thinking is evident across all four Vedas. Highlighting a stellar example from Odisha's own history, Majhi recalled the achievements of astronomer Pathani Samanta, who accurately calculated the distance between the Earth and the Moon using simple instruments made from bamboo.
Bridging this heritage with contemporary opportunities, Majhi encouraged students to leverage the vast educational resources now available. He pointed them beyond textbooks to digital libraries and online tools, stating these platforms offer abundant knowledge to deepen research and fuel innovation for the public good.
Policy Backing: NEP 2020 and New Schools
Translating vision into actionable policy, the Chief Minister highlighted the ongoing implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Odisha. To concretely strengthen foundational learning, the government has announced a significant initiative.
A Pandit Godavarish Mishra Adarsh Primary School will be established in every panchayat. The first phase of this ambitious project is already underway, with plans to construct 2,200 such schools at an investment of Rs 12,000 crore. This massive investment aims to ensure quality primary education and systematically nurture talent from the grassroots level across the state.
Chief Minister Majhi's address at the Keonjhar science exhibition served as both an inspiration and a roadmap, connecting Odisha's scholarly past with a future built on scientific curiosity and robust educational infrastructure.
