New EMRS in Odisha Sparks Fresh Aspirations for Tribal Students
By Suryanarayan Panda
Koraput, Nov. 18: In the serene, forested hills of Koraput district, a new symbol of hope has emerged for tribal families who have long struggled for access to quality education. The newly inaugurated Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Raniguda—unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 15—has kindled optimism that a new generation of tribal children will now have the opportunity to chart a brighter, more empowered future.
For communities across Kundra block, the modern school campus is more than just a fresh coat of infrastructure. With its well-equipped classrooms, dedicated hostels, recreational spaces and sports grounds, the school represents a long-awaited gateway connecting isolated tribal hamlets to structured learning and holistic development.
Designed to begin with 120 students and scale up to a capacity of 480, the EMRS offers free CBSE education from Classes 6 to 12. Students will receive not only free lodging and nutritious meals but also access to academic mentoring, extracurricular activities and personality development programmes. What makes the model especially meaningful is its focus on combining contemporary education with preservation of tribal identity—a priority of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
“We are committed to ensuring that tribal youth receive the same opportunities as any other child in India,” Prime Minister Modi said at the event, reiterating the government’s focus on education as the engine of transformation in tribal regions.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who shared the dais with the Prime Minister, called the new campus “a decisive step toward empowering tribal communities while keeping their rich heritage intact.” He lauded the construction efforts of K.N. Mishra Constructions (India) Pvt. Ltd., executed under the guidance of Hindustan Steelworks Construction Limited (HSCL) and led by Bikram Keshari Praharaj.
Further strengthening the educational thrust in southern Odisha, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for another EMRS at Bandhugaon. Koraput—known for its diverse tribal cultures—has long faced developmental challenges, making such investments particularly significant.
The EMRS initiative itself has evolved considerably since its launch in 1997–98. Conceived to provide quality residential schooling for Scheduled Tribe students in remote regions, the model aims to nurture academic excellence alongside sports, arts, culture and leadership. Each campus is designed to match the standards of Navodaya Vidyalayas, while honouring local tribal languages, traditions and art forms through dedicated cultural spaces.
The Union government has set a target of establishing hundreds of EMRS campuses by 2026, aiming to build an expansive educational ecosystem that reaches the country’s most underserved tribal areas.
But for the youth of Koraput, these developments mean something deeply personal: the chance to dream bigger, learn with dignity and step confidently into a future that once seemed beyond reach.
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Photograph: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the Eklavya Model Residential School in Odisha’s Koraput district.
