Odisha: Lanjigarh Witnesses Demand for Higher Education

Orissadiary, Aug 10, 2012
Report by OD bureau; Lanjigarh: Lanjigarh which is situated in a remote corner in Kalahandi district of Odisha seems to be witnessing a sea change. The tribal people in Lanjigarh region, which is considered to be one of the backward regions in the country, now demands to come to the main stream.
The recent reports of a strike at Lanjigarh for enrolling of more local students in the ‘SC & ST +2 Science and Commerce College’ run by Govt. of Odisha speaks in at length how the tribal people in this region ready to go to the extent of road blockage, strike etc only to enroll their sons and daughters in the educational institute. The people in the region have realized the true value of education.
August 9, 2012 saw a standstill Lanjigarh only because few tribal students of the region couldn’t get enrolled in the college. People came out from their houses to make sure a one-day strike at Lanjigarh successful. They clearly wanted to send the message that they have the right to study at the college situated at Lanjigarh.

Speaking about the strike at Lanjigarh, Keshab Majhi said, “We are blessed that our next generation can have access to better education and at an institute like DAV Vedanta International School. The revolt for education is inevitable because of industrialization in the region. Now everybody wants to come to the mainstream and to access better life.”
The demand for better education can also be seen at the DAV Vedanta International School at Lanjigarh, the only English medium school in the locality. The school now has enrolled nearly 500 students of the locality who are mostly tribal. The school, when started with three students now has enrolled nearly 500 students at a tribal dominated place. This in itself shows how the local people are aware about education and development.