Bhubaneswar, May 21: The school and mass education department today launched special ‘Meghdoot’ postcards to spread awareness about Sikhsha Adikaar (right to education).

Introduced by the department of post, this postcard will carry a multi-colour message on one side related to right to education under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan.

The purpose of launching such a card is to promote public consciousness about the mission among the beneficiaries. Around one lakh Meghdoot post cards will be sold through about 8,000 post offices in urban and rural areas across the state.

This is an attempt by the state government to spread awareness about education in rural areas, especially where there are high rates of children who are out of school or have dropped out.

Secretary of school and mass education Usha Padhi said: “Efforts are being taken to ensure the rights of children and making the educational growth process socially inclusive, regionally balanced and sustainable.”

She said considerable progress had been made, particularly in the areas of school infrastructure, creating child friendly environments in school, removing financial and procedural barriers to education, ensuring ban on corporal punishment and a system for redressal of grievances related to schools.

Speaking on the occasion, school and mass education minister Rabi Narayan Nanda said that it must be ensured that children between the ages of six and 14 years had the right to free and compulsory education till completion of elementary education in a neighbourhood school.

“Serious work has to be taken up to ensure enrolment, attendance and completion of education by all children in this age group,” he said.