Odisha CM launches robotics labs in 807 schools and Nipun app
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Suravi-2026 festival and unveiled several educational initiatives in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated robotics laboratories in 807 government schools and launched the Nipun app on Thursday, November 12, in Bhubaneswar. According to The New Indian Express, the robotics labs were established with an investment of Rs 164.33 crore to provide students from Classes 6 to 10 with hands-on exposure to coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, 3D printing, and robotics.
The Nipun app was launched to strengthen foundational learning and assess academic progress. The three-day state-level children’s festival, Suravi-2026, is being held at the Capital High School ground in Unit-III and will continue until November 14. More than 2,500 meritorious students are participating in the event.
During the ceremony, Majhi conferred the Mukhyamantri Siksha Puraskar on 375 individuals and institutions for the 2024 and 2025 cycles. The state has earmarked Rs 138.97 crore as incentives under this award scheme. Nabarangpur, Cuttack, and Kalahandi districts received the Chief Minister’s Education Award.
The Chief Minister also announced the Mukhyamantri Odia Bhasha Bruti scheme, which provides an annual scholarship of Rs 7,500 to 7,350 meritorious students for excellence in Odia language studies. Majhi advised students to develop practical skills and use mobile phones for learning rather than just entertainment.
Addressing the students, Majhi said that academic marks alone do not guarantee employment and urged them to distinguish between authentic information and misleading content on the internet.