80th Independence Day celebrated in Central University of Odisha

• “Let us also be conscious of our Fundamental Duties”-says Vice Chancellor Prof Shasany

 Odisha,The Central University of Odisha celebrated the 80th Independence Day at its camps in Sunabeda in Koraput. Prof Ajit Kumar Shasany, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor was received by Dr Sanjay Kr Pradhan, Registrar and Dr Minati Sahoo, Dean, Students’ Welfare and given Guard of Honour by the contingent of NCC Cadets and Security Guards. Following the government protocol, Vande Mataram, the National Song of India was sung for the first time in the history of the nation. Prof Shasany hoisted the Tri colour followed by the National Anthem.

Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasany spoke about the importance of unity and national development. He highlighted the contribution of young people in building the future of the nation. He encouraged students to understand their responsibilities towards society and the country. He spoke about the importance of social diversity, integrity and discipline. He expressed his vision of making the Central University of Odisha a university that contributes meaningfully to national development. He also stressed the importance of supporting students, encouraging research scholars and creating better opportunities for young people.

In his speech, Prof Shasany recalled the inspirational vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India comprising AI, Green Hydrogen, Blue Economy and correlated them with the University. He stressed that the youth of the country has a significant role in development of the nation and it has to start from the University campus. In this context, he reminded the University Faculty of their fundamental duties of teaching, inspiring the students, building their careers to achieve the goals of Bharatiyattwa. In this context, Prof Shasany said that the young generation of today have to be guided well and they get misguided easily as they have not seen days of struggle faced by earlier generation. So when the facilities are better we should not promote differences but work to achieve the goals of national development. He expressed a personal desire to bring a smile on ten thousand faces.

Prof Shasany emphasized on inter disciplinary research and collaboration between disciplines. Diverse disciplines like Botany & Sociology should collaborate to develop patents and products which will have a social utility and impart prominence to the University. In this context he mentioned the Heritage Botanical Garden developed at NBRI, Bhopal which depicts the knowledge of historically significant trees of our nation including tree of cellular jail of Andaman and Jalianwalabagh . He said that an effort may be made by Bio Diversity Department to make an exhibition of all plants which have their presence in the temples in Light & Sound mode. He stressed that consciousness of History, Culture and Literature of a land are equally important for development of academic knowledge and research.
Prof Shasany further highlighted the importance of journalism and students’ role in society, encouraging them to use their knowledge and skills responsibly for the benefit of the nation. He asserted that the hard earned independence of freedom fighters of country have to be fulfilled and materialized by present generation by sincere discharge of fundamental duties.

The students of the Central University of Odisha presented a beautiful cultural function comprising patriotic poems, songs and dances. The programme concluded with distribution of sweets. It was widely attended by students, research scholars, faculty members, officers and staff of the University and coordinated by Dr Minati Sahoo, DSW.