Chief minister Naveen Patnaik with students from Rayagada district's Dongria Kondh at the state secretariat in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

Naveen felicitated the students from the tribe who have successfully cleared this year's matriculation examination.

As many as 34 students, including 25 girls, were present at the feleicitation ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, Naveen said: "Education is the first step towards eradicating poverty, and development. We are hopeful that the students will make the village and the state proud."

This is the first time that girls from the tribe have cleared the examination.