Droupadi Murmu, President of India, was on an official visit to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh (AP) from November 20 to 22, 2023. During her visit,
- She inaugurated the New Eklavya Model Residential School(EMRS) at Kuliana, Odisha.
- She flagged off three new trains from Badampahar Railway Station.
- She launched the Education Campaign “New Education for New India” of Brahma Kumaris in Odisha.
- Attended Convocation of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Odisha & Sri Sathya Sai Institute, AP
Highlights:
On 20th November 2023, President Droupadi Murmu attended the inaugural session of the 36th Annual Conference and Literary Festival of All India Santali Writers Association at Bripada, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha.
Note:
- All India Santali Writers’ Association has been promoting the Santhali language since its establishment in 1988.
- Santhali was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution as one of the 22 official languages of India by the 92nd Amendment Act on 22nd December 2003.
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated an EMRS in Odisha
During her visit(on 20th November 2023), President Droupadi Murmu along with Arjun Munda, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs (MoTA) inaugurated the new Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) campus at Kuliana, Mayurbhanj (Odisha).
About the New EMRS:
The EMRS at Kuliana has been developed with a budget of Rs 38 crore.
It is being constructed by Hindustan Steel Construction Ltd. (HSCL), a public sector enterprise (PSE) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA).
- During the event, Union Minister Arjun Munda mentioned that the Government of India (GoI) is set to recruit 38,800 teachers and support staff over the next 3 years for 740 Eklavya Model Schools dedicated to 3.5 lakh tribal community students.
About Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
i.It is a central sector scheme which aims to provide quality education to the tribal students. Originally, The EMRS scheme was launched in 1997-98.
ii.The scheme is monitored by MoTA and the National Education Society for Students (NESTS) is the implementing agency of the scheme.
iii.In 2019, the GoI sanctioned 452 new EMRS, one in every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons.
iv.The budget of the EMRS scheme was increased to Rs 38 crore in plain areas and Rs 48 crore in hilly areas region.
v.Now, GoI aims to set up 740 EMRS schools by March 2026.
President flagged off 3 New Trains from Badampahar Railway Station
On 21st Novmeber 2023, President Droupadi Murmu flagged off 3 new trains from Badampahar railway station in Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
The 3 new trains are:
i.Badampahar-Tatanagar MEMU(Mainline Electric Multiple Unit)
ii.Badampahar-Rourkela Weekly Express
iii.Badampahar-Shalimar Weekly Express
Note: These new trains will help local travellers to visit neighbouring states like West Bengal and Jharkhand.
Other launches:
During the event, President Murumu virtually inaugurated the new Rairangpur Postal Division and released a commemorative special cover of the Rairangpur Postal Division.
She also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Badampahar railway station.
Key People: The event is attended by important dignitaries such as: Ragubhar Das, Governor of Odisha, Ashwini Vaishnav, Union Minister of Railways, Dharmendra Pradhan, Uniom Minister of Education, Bishweswar Tudu, Union Minister of State (MoS), MoTA.
President launched an Education Campaign titled “New Education for New India” in Odisha
On 22nd November 2023, President Droupadi Murmu launched the Education Campaign titled “New Education for New India” of Brahma Kumaris in Sambalpur, Odisha. The event was organized by Brahma Kumari Iswariya University.
- The main aim of the campaign is to instill moral values in students which can help in creating a better society.
- She further highlighted the importance of moral education in shaping responsible citizens and bringing positive changes in society.
- She emphasized on the importance of teaching the mother language in schools, which is also a part of NEP (National Education Policy) 2020. It can help in building intellectual levels among children.
President Murmu graced the Convocation of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Odisha & Sri Sathya Sai Institute, AP
i.On 21st November 2023, President Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 15th annual convocation of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology at Burla, Sambalpur, Odisha.
ii.On 22nd November 2023, She addressed the 42nd Convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning held at Sai Hira Convention Hall in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
- S.Abdul Nazeer, Governor of AP, attended the convocation as Guest of Honour.
About Odisha:
Chief Minister(CM)– Naveen Patnaik
Governor– Raghubar Das
Capital– Bhubneswar
National Park– Simlipal National Park, Bhitarkanika Nationl Park
About Andhra Pradesh:
Chief Minister(CM)- YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
Governor– S.Abdul Nazeer
Capital– Vishakapatnam(Executive), Amravati(Legislative) and Kurnool(Judicial)
National Park– Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Sri Venketeswara National Park
