The newly launched Shishu Vatika at Deepika Ispat Siksha Sadan was inaugurated with a vibrant and heartwarming Prawesh Utsav ceremony on 2^nd March. The school, run by Deepika Mahila Sanghati (DMS)—a prominent philanthropic organization of Rourkela operating under the patronage of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant—continues to offer free, quality education to underprivileged children.

The event was presided over by Mrs. Namrata Verma, President of Deepika Mahila Sanghati. Also present were DMS Vice Presidents Mrs. Pravati Misra, Mrs. Reeta Rani, and Mrs. Nabanita Pal Choudhury; Ms. Munmun Mittra, GM In-charge (CSR); Mr. T. B. Toppo, AGM (CSR); Ms. Sarika Kumar, Secretary (DMS); along with other Governing Body members. From the school, Mr. S. Samal, Headmaster, and Mr. S. K. Mishra, School Administrator, attended the event along with teachers, staff, students, and their guardians.

The Prawesh Utsav began with a traditional ‘Khadi Chuan’ Puja, where a priest symbolically initiated the children’s learning journey by guiding them to hold chalk and draw on a slate. It was a special moment marking their first step into the world of education.

To celebrate the occasion, the dignitaries distributed study kits to the new entrants of Shishu Vatika. Each kit included a school bag, slate, chalk, stationery items, a water bottle, and a packet of snacks, adding joy to the little learners’ first day at school.

The event was smoothly coordinated by Ms. Vijayani Jena, a dedicated teacher of the school.