Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister today launched the Odia Bhasa Brutti Puraskar (Odia language scholarship award) with an aim to motivate students in the State to pursue Odia language and culture more seriously.

Inaugurating the scheme via video conferencing at the State Secretariat here this afternoon, Naveen gave away the Odia Bhasabrutti to 3549 meritorious students who have scored more marks in Odia in the annual Class X examinations.

As many as 35, 490 students were awarded with ‘Mukhya Mantri Medha Bruti.’

Besides, the CM also gave away the Utkrusta Vidyalaya Proschahana Puraskar to 1061 schools in recognition of their efforts to encourage Odia language among the students.

Similarly, the Chief Minister also distributed laptops to 15,000 students under ‘Biju Yuva Sashaktikaran’ scheme for the financial year 2018-19.