Utsah-2026 Gives 108 Children a Platform to Showcase Sporting Talent ;Participants from 10 child-care institutions compete in athletics, chess and carrom at Khordha Stadium.

Dillip Kumar Pattnaik

KHORDHA, SEPTEMBER 19: A district-level children’s festival, Utsah-2026, brought together 108 children from 10 child-care institutions at Khordha Stadium on Friday, providing them an opportunity to participate in sporting competitions and showcase their talent.
Organised with the objective of encouraging sporting ability, confidence, discipline and teamwork among children, the festival featured competitions in the 100-metre race, high jump, long jump, chess and carrom in both boys’ and girls’ categories.

Additional District Magistrate Pratap Chandra Beura, who attended the event as chief guest, formally inaugurated the festival. He later presented trophies and certificates to the winners and encouraged the participants to pursue sports and other creative activities with dedication and confidence.
The competitions witnessed enthusiastic participation from children representing different institutions. Besides providing a platform for sporting talent, the event also enabled the participants to interact with one another and develop a spirit of friendship and healthy competition.
District Sports Officer Geetanjali Panda, Protection Officer (Women Violence) Soudamini Dash, Child Welfare Committee Chairperson Kanta Mohanty, committee members Ramesh Behera and Basabi Khadanga, and District Coordinator of Plan India Amita Singh were among those present.

District Child Protection Officer Banisree Pattnaik delivered the welcome address. The District Child Protection Unit supported the organisation of the festival, while sports teachers Premananda Baral and Prasant administered the oath to the participating children.
In the 100-metre boys’ event, N. Ganesh of Adrut Child Care Institution secured the first position, followed by Jambira of SOS Child Care Institution. In the girls’ category, Narsima Begum of Subhadra Mahatab Seva Sadan finished first, while Laxmi Majhi of Adrut Child Care Institution secured the second position.

Deepali Majhi of Adrut Child Care Institution won the girls’ high jump, with Barsha Majhi finishing second. In the boys’ event, S. Naresh Rao of Sri Sri Maa Anand Ashram secured first place, while Shiva Guni of SOS Child Care Institution stood second.
In the girls’ long jump, Subhasree Sahu of SOS Child Care Institution emerged first and Jharana Pradhan finished second. Kalu Bas of Adrut Child Care Institution won the boys’ event, followed by Shiva Guni of SOS Child Care Institution.
Arjun Hansda of SOS Child Care Institution secured first place in the boys’ chess competition, with Ayush Digal of Ashraya Child Care Institution finishing second. In the girls’ category, Rupa Sethi of Adrut Child Care Institution emerged first and Deepali Majhi secured second position.In carrom, Prayas Digal of Ashraya Child Care Institution won the boys’ category, followed by Rabindra Behera of Sri Sri Maa Anand Ashram. Rajeshwari Nayak of Nehru Seva Sangh secured first position in the girls’ category, while Jhili Khatun of Subhadra Mahatab Seva Sadan finished second.

The organisers said the festival was aimed not merely at competition but also at providing children from different care institutions with opportunities to build confidence, develop discipline and teamwork, and discover their interests and abilities.
The participation of children from across the district turned Utsah-2026 into a vibrant day of sports, interaction and celebration at Khordha Stadium.