Noble Mission: UAIL promoting education at Rayagada

By Our Correspondent

Bhubaneswar, Nov 20 : Smrutirani Naik, the 8 year old Std-3 kid hailing from D. Karal village near Tikiri of Rayagada district, Odisha, is delighted every morning.  For it is time for her to go to school.  There are 7 other students from the neighbourhood who walk with her to the nearby Aditya Birla Public School (ABPS).

Kamalini Naik, her mother says “I want to educate her properly.  My desire is to see her become a doctor or an engineer”.  She remarks that her daughter enjoys the ABPS, not only for all that she learns here but for various fun activities, such as dancing, singing etc.  Ms. Naik had never dreamt of educating her child in an English medium school. But because of ABPS now her daughter is in an English medium school.  Wow!

Speaking on the initiatives of UAIL in promoting education in Rayagada district, the President & Unit Head of UAIL Mr N. Nagesh says, “Education is the backbone of every society.  At Rayagada, we have taken several initiatives to educate children at the pre-school, primary and secondary stages.  We are sparking the desire to learn among adults as well.  We, as a Corporate, believe in giving back to society and we know that the children here are the future of tomorrow”.

Elaborating, Mr Raghunath Pratihari, the Head of HR of UAIL says, adds “Besides setting up this school, the Company has taken several measures in promoting education in this tribal inhabited poor district of the state. To promote functional literacy amongst the women of the peripheral villages, we have begun promoting literacy through Adult Literacy Centres (ALCs).  We have mentored 14 ALCs to educate 350 women in 14 different villages. Qualified girls from the same villages have been given the responsibility of teaching and managing the centres.  This helps the bonding and learning process”.

Mr. L. N. Dash, the Principal of the Aditya Birla Public School comments, “Our Campus is a special place where the staff and parents believe in working together to help our students achieve their best!  We have a dedicated team of teachers for whom students are the first priority. They put their heart into teaching and help our students to face challenges and come out with flying colours in curricular as well as extracurricular fields. They work hard to make ABPS a warm and friendly place – a home away from home, maintaining high standards for student learning and behaviour.”

The first batch of Class X passed the CBSE X examination last year with 100% distinction and one out of six students received the coveted CGPA.

To ensure quality education in the schools of UAIL peripheral villages, Utkal Alumina has given substantial teacher support – 57 teachers in Govt. U.P. Schools of different peripheral villages.

The Panchayat High School of Kucheipadar village is one of the most liked education institutes of the area, constructed by Utkal Alumina.  The hostel building with drinking water facility has recently been added to the facilities. Besides, 27 schools have been supported financially for setting of boundary walls, Extension classrooms and repairing of school buildings.       

 Furthermore, UAIL has helped mobilise around Rs.57 lakhs for the construction of additional class rooms in 9 schools in its periphery – partnering with the State Government through the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan programme of the Government.

Utkal Alumina has been extending support to “Nutan Gyanverdhini”, a School for differently challenged children, at Kolanara of Rayagada district. Along with education, the children are tutored in life skills and vocational training such as tailoring. They have been given uniforms, teaching and learning materials and playing equipment.

Over 375 students of three different U.P. Schools have received uniforms. This has helped needy students and increased their attendance at the schools.

Additionally, meritorious students belonging to the underprivileged communities have been given financial assistance for higher education.

Backed by these initiatives, the engagement of the Authorities, and UAIL, the Rayagada district is on a transformative journey with education always on its radar.