Unprecedented Triumph: Mayurbhanj Students Shine Bright at State-Level ‘Seba Sankalpa Abhiyan 2026’

By Abinash Mohanty

BARIPADA: In a resounding testament to the untapped potential and sheer talent residing in the heart of Odisha, students from the Mayurbhanj district have brought immense pride and glory to their region. Showcasing an extraordinary display of creativity and articulation, four exceptional young minds achieved remarkable success at the prestigious state-level ‘Seba Sankalpa Abhiyan – 2026’ competition.

Organized under the esteemed auspices of the School and Mass Education (S&ME) Department, the grand event was hosted at the Unit-1 Government High School in the capital city of Bhubaneswar. The initiative aims to foster a spirit of service, dedication, and holistic development among the youth of the state. This year, the competition featured intense battles of skill in painting and elocution across three distinct age categories: Primary, Upper Primary, and Secondary/Higher Secondary.

Amidst fierce competition from all districts of Odisha, the representatives from Mayurbhanj stood out, proving that geographical and infrastructural boundaries are no match for raw talent and dedicated mentorship.

The Shining Stars of Mayurbhanj at Seba Sankalpa Abhiyan 2026

The delegation from Mayurbhanj left an indelible mark on the judges and attendees alike. Here is a detailed look at the four brilliant students who hoisted the district’s flag high:

1. Ashish Kumar Behera – Master of the Canvas (1st Place)

Representing the Maharaja Purna Chandra Higher Secondary School in Baripada, Ashish competed in the highly competitive Secondary and Higher Secondary category. His painting, which brilliantly captured the essence of the ‘Seba Sankalpa’ (Pledge of Service) theme, earned him the coveted first position. His artwork was highly praised for its mature strokes, profound message, and vibrant color palette.

2. Debashish Giri – A Prodigy in Making (1st Place)

Hailing from the Purnachandrapur Government Upper Primary School in Baripada, young Debashish bagged the first position in the painting competition for the Upper Primary category. His ability to translate complex societal themes onto paper with such clarity left the audience and evaluators mesmerized.

3. Manita Murmu – The Pride of Bahalda (1st Place)

Coming from the rural heartlands of the Bahalda block, Manita, a student of Indrakholi Government Primary School, secured the first position in the Primary category’s painting competition. Her achievement is a monumental inspiration for tribal and rural students, showcasing that true artistic vision can flourish anywhere given the right platform.

4. Abha Aradha Sethy – The Voice of Tomorrow (2nd Place)

Moving beyond the canvas, Abha demonstrated her exceptional oratory skills in the elocution competition. A student of Hatimundi Government Primary School in the Jashipur block, she secured the second position in the Primary category. Her speech, delivered with confidence, clarity, and deep conviction, resonated powerfully with the audience.

Seba Sankalpa Abhiyan 2026: The Grand Felicitation Ceremony

The state-level award distribution ceremony was a glittering affair, graced by prominent dignitaries and policymakers who are shaping the future of education in Odisha.

The Honorable Minister of School and Mass Education, Shri Nityananda Gond, attended as the Chief Guest. In his inspiring address, he emphasized the government’s commitment to nurturing grassroots talent. He was joined by the MLA of Ekamra-Bhubaneswar, Shri Babu Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the S&ME Department, Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, and the State Primary Education Project Director, Sangita Behera, who attended as Guests of Honor.

The dignitaries took the stage to personally encourage the successful participants, awarding them with certificates of merit and glittering trophies that represent their hard work and dedication.

Behind the Success: Unwavering Guidance and Mentorship

Such monumental success is rarely achieved in isolation. The stellar performance of the Mayurbhanj contingent was the result of a meticulously coordinated effort by the district’s educational administration and dedicated teachers.

The selected students traveled to Bhubaneswar and participated in the state-level event under the direct, hands-on supervision of Sapan Kumar Prusty, the Tribal Education Coordinator of the District Samagra Shiksha Office. The entire expedition was carried out under the strategic guidance and motivation of the District Education Officer (DEO)-cum-District Project Coordinator, Purnachandra Sethy.

A Historic Moment for District Education

The success at the event is being celebrated across the Mayurbhanj district as a historic milestone. It highlights the positive impact of extracurricular engagement in comprehensive educational development.

Commending this extraordinary state-level achievement, DEO Purnachandra Sethy expressed his profound joy. He, along with Additional DEOs Shashidhar Singh, Goutam Patra, and Binod Singh, as well as Tribal Education Coordinator Sapan Kumar Prusty, extended their warmest congratulations to the winning students. Furthermore, the administrative body expressed their deep gratitude to the teachers and parents of the respective schools, whose silent yet tireless efforts laid the foundation for this unprecedented triumph.

As these young achievers return to Mayurbhanj with their heads held high, they bring with them not just trophies, but a beacon of hope and inspiration for thousands of other students across the district.