School and mass education secretary Usha Padhee takes a snap on her cell phone as a student creates flower and (below) participants at an origami training camp at the Suravi mela in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. Pictures by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 5: Suravi, an annual three-day children’s extravaganza, organised by the school and mass education department, got off to an enthusiastic start today with more than 700 students taking part in a bicycle rally.

Led by ministers of school and mass education Rabi Narayan Nanda and science and technology Ramesh Majhi, the children pedalled all the way from Forest Park to Unit-IX Boys’ High School — the venue for the festival. Secretary of the host department Usha Padhee flagged off the rally.

On the first day, an awareness mela on midday meal saw the young participants indulging in an array of competitions — art, crafts, debate, dance, song and drama. “We have organised the madhayan bhojan awareness mela with an aim to sensitise students and teachers about the scheme,” said Padhee.

“The programme will make them aware about the health and hygiene aspects of the scheme, and on ways and means to avoid mishaps while facilitating better community participation,” she said.

About 500 students and teachers, who took part in the event today, said the mela helped them understand the rights of the children, significance and advantages of the meal scheme. “We got information on precautionary measures to prevent mishaps and acquaint ourselves with best practices,” said Pramila Sahoo, a teacher.

About 1,500 students, selected after various competitions at the block and district levels over a period of one month, are taking part in Suravi. Director of the midday meal division from the ministry of human resource department Gaya Prasad was the special guest for the occasion.

The next two days will feature a number of creative events. This year, Suravi was postponed in view of Phailin and incessant rain leading to a flood situation. Usually, it is held between November 12 and 14 with the final day coinciding with Children’s Day celebrations.

There are also plans to show educational movies in Hindi and Odia to the students and take them on a sightseeing tour across the city. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik will address the valedictory event on December 7.