Even Karuna takes lead

Tathya, 23rd June, 2008
Bhawanipatna:23/June/2008

While one after the other state is grabbing opportunity to go fast in setting up IIT and Central University, Orissa is losing the chance. Take the case of Gujarat, it has gone ahead in announcing the requirement of faculty positions for its’ new IIT Gandhinagar and has invited applications for the posts. Chief Minister Narendra Modi is taking personal interest in the new Centre for Higher Learning. Similarly, M Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu has has also gone ahead to set up Second Central University. Mr.Karunanidhi has taken initiative on Tiruvarur Central University, and has asked to start functioning from this year. He has also taken the initiative to allot land for another World Class Central University in Coimbatore. However, Naveen Patnaik is allegedly in deep slumer and has not bothered to take any initiative for the other proposed Central University in the state except for the World Class Central University at Bhubaneswar, lamented Digamabara Patra. Dr.Patra, a leading Non Resident Oriya (NRO) is worried over the inaction in this regard. Similarly Madhusmita Panda another active NRO has also expressed concern over the matter. When the Centre has sanctioned the educational institutions than instead of taking up those the State Government is busy in establishing institutes like Engineering College, Medical colleges and universities solely funded by the Government of Orissa in those regions which have already similar government funded institution, alleged she. Both Dr.Patra and Ms.Panda propose that Bhawanipatna is the right place to establish the Second Central University as it has all necessary infrastructure. Detailing out the infrastructure facilities, Ms.panda said that the Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna which was awarded as the Potential Center of Excellence among 3 colleges in the very first year from Orissa by UGC has all the infrastructure to start a central university temporarily. The NH201 and NH217 pass through Bhawanipatna and connect all the major KBK towns and other major towns of Orissa and Chhatisgarh. Kesinga railway station is 25 kms from Bhawanipatna and is directly linked by Indian Railways . Raipur airport is about 220 kms from Bhawanipatana and there is another aerodrome in Bhawanipatna which can be a regular airport in the future. KBK needs special attention for the solely government funded higher educational institute and Kalahandi is geographically the epicenter for all the KBK districts. Tirivarur in Tamil Nadu is smaller than Bhawanipatna in regards to the population and has the similar infrastructure like that of Bhawanipatna. However, the Tamil Nadu Government is working hard to establish the other central university in that place for which the Tirivarur Central University is going to function from this academic year. Where as our State Government has done very little towards establishing the other Central University in Bhawanipatna, though funded by the Centre, lamented Ms.Panda.