Amid the rhythmic beating of drums on a hot afternoon in May, members of the Kolha tribe dance and enjoy a traditional drink to celebrate the spring festival of Manay Chuiti Parab at Ranipokhari, a tribal village in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. Making her way through the festive crowd is 16-year-old Koili Khuntia, who eyes young girls trying to dance in sync as she serves bowls full of handia: a local brew made of rice and intoxicants.
Even as Koili goes about her job, over five lakh children her age in the State are busy preparing for the High School Certificate (Class X) examination, which began on April 29. A student of the Government Upgraded High School in Ranipokhari, Koili had filled up the form to sit for the exam, but decided to skip it.
