Dated 6th February 2009
BHAKTA CHARAN DAS, M.P, [Loksabha] KALAHANDI
BHAWANIPATNA - 766009
DIST – KALAHANDI, ORISSA
TO
Prof. Dr. Trilochana Pradhan
Chairman
Task Force, Higher Education
Orissa, Bhubaneswar.
Esteemed Sir.
While well-coming to the formation of the Task Force on Higher Education in Orissa under your able leadership, I deem it a privilege to moot some valid proposals to be included in your agenda for the escalation of Higher Education and research facilities in Kalahandi – Nuapada districts of Orissa.
As all knows, Kalahandi -Nuapada regions are lagging behind in higher education and research since last sixty years of Independence, which is an exemplary example in Asia. This downward trend of the educational system of an ancient landmass is due to the haphazard policy of the Government in the sphere of education and research, both in the context of technical and general education. Planning of the government always reflects towards the developed zones of the state and the periphery pockets of the state such as undivided Kalahandi has been sidelined since 1948, resulting thus the creation of regional imbalance and discontentment among the people. The following proposals thus may be considered.
1] National [ Innovative University] in Kalahandi [ Site of 800 Ha, land attached]
Both the Sate and the centre and their various planning commissions have never turned their attention towards this periphery zone of Orissa, undivided Kalahandi in the perspective of higher education and research. As such, this land inhabited by more than ten lakhs of people have their legitimate right to claim a National [ Innovative ] University to be set up in Kalahandi. Sincerely I hope that the Task force will consider coolly the justification of the proposal of National / Innovative University at Kalahandi.
Justification.
[A] Kalahandi district has thousand and thousand acres of land ideally located at the traffic point of rail, road, and air. The region, moreover, is free from Naxlite - Maoist menace and natural hazard like flood, earthquake, tsunami, and volcanic eruption. As such, the landmass is a congenial place for Higher Educational and Research Centre like the National University to grow.
[B]. Kalahandi has more practical appeal for a National University not only for its infamous backwardness, rural mass migration in the nation and available infrastructure, such as railways, NH, Raipur airport within 200 km and Utkela Air strip and but also due to its ideal location in the Centre of the KBK Districts
[C]. Bhawanipatna is also the central point while including other tribal and backward region in Orissa such as Boudh, Kandhamal, Bargarh and Gajpati districts, thus, Bhawanipatna could serve better to the whole region than any other location.
[D] In Orissa distance between Bhawanipatna and Koraput/ Sambalpur is much more compared to Bhubaneswar and Berhampur / Puri/ Cuttack /Balasore/ Dhenkanal / Angul. Regionally cities like Berhampur, Balasore, Dhenkanal / Angul etc are given preference on development as regional stations, but Bhawanipatna and Koraput / Sambalpur / Rourkela are put together when it comes to regional development. Equal development of both Bhawanipatna and Koraput is very much important as regional stations to bring overall growth of KBK as well as Western and Southern Orissa
{E]. Many economists agree that investment while establishing such new and large institutions mainly goes to construction sectors, which directly boost the local economy. Such investment is always given to metro or large urban areas like Bhubaneswar of the country by totally ignoring small towns or semi-urban rural India like Bhawanipatn of Kalahandi
[F] Recently both Jammu and Kashmir got two Central Universities due to public protest; Kalahandi has been demanding a Central University since past two decades, so Kalahandi and Koraput each should have a Central and National University, so that poverty and backwardness of KBK zone would be automatically eradicated and political gambling like Biju K.B.K Yojana and long term K.B.K Yojana would no more felt necessary.
[G] Quality can still be maintained while establishing such institution in semi - urban areas such as Bhawanipatna – Karlapada, as institutions in semi - urban region such as IIT Khragapur, IIT Roorkee, BITS Pilani, etc. have excelled in India.
[2] Deserving Case of Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna for University Status
Justification of University Status
I] Despite being located in a backward and underdeveloped region, Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna has established itself for maintaining high quality in education and research in this part of the state. Students of this College have been securing top ranks at the University level as well as state level in various fields of education.
II] The institution has been successfully implemented many research projects [ major & Minor] of D.R.D.A, U.G.C, I.C.H.R, and I.S.S.R.C etc. Faculties of the college have produced more than 200 research papers in the last ten years and many reference and edited volumes. The college has its own Research Journal entitled – Kalahandi Renaissance [ A multi – disciplinary Research Journal] where research papers of Indian and foreign scholars and scientists are published regularly.
III] – The College stands on 56 acres of land and in its immediate periphery more than 100 acres of government land besides 100 acres of non – cultivated land in private possession exists which would be utilized for horizontal growth of the institution.
IV] It is also among the first 47 colleges in the nation and only 3 colleges in the state to get the “College with Potential for Excellence” (CPE) status by UGC since 2004. In KBK-Kandhamal-Boudh region, it is the only college to get this honor so far. As such, the next up-gradation of this institution is to UNIVERSITY.
V] KBK region is known to be backward in higher education and research facilities. Lack of sufficient teachers/lecturers in major Government Colleges in the region has been a serious concern since 1960. A University would facilitate highly skilled professionals in the various fields to join as permanent faculties, such as, lecturer, Assistant, Associate, and full time Professors in such institutions and will fulfill deficiencies in shortage of lecturers in Autonomous College in Kalahandi, KBKK region in general.
VI] A University, however, will give this institution independency to introduce new courses not only in the discipline mentioned above but also in the field of medicine, agriculture, technology etc based on local requirements. It will also improve the current deficiency in regular teaching positions and make the professor’s position non-transferable basis by directly encouraging research activities.
[VII] This year the college celebrates its Golden Jubilee. Based on location, available infrastructure, local & regional requirements, quality, and importantly merit, Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna deserves to be a University in the state on priority basis.
3] Govt. Medical College in Kalahandi
Proposal & Justification
The People of Kalahandi compelled Orissa Government to start a Medical College at Jaring [ Bhawanipatna – Junagarh] through a prolonged day & night agitation in Nove 2004. WODC of Orissa allotted fund to Sylvan Charitable Trust, Tamilnadu to start this Medical College. Until 2010, this medical College is unable to start in Private capacity and there is no hope of functioning of this Institution in near future. As such, proposal may be included in your draft for taken over of this Medical College by the Government after canceling the MOU.
In the year 2009, more than fifty people died in Cholera in Kalahandi alone and the government failed to protect the life because there is no Government Medical college and hospital in Kalahandi. This cannot be expected in a Democratic political system of a country.
Thus, the so- called Sardar raja Medical college of Jaring ought to be taken over by the Government and should be renamed as Govt. Medical College Kalahandi.
4] Govt. Engineering College at Dharamgarh
A Government Engineering College in Dharamgarh Sub –division is necessary.
Justification
No -I] In Technical education field [Higher] there is gross injustice to Kalahandi. Kalahandi has waited long sixty years after its merger with the Orissa Province in 1948, to get a Technical Educational Institution only in 2009. When Hirakud Dam Project was started, Govt. of Orissa spontaneously established Burla Engineering College, But when Indravati project began in 1975 – 76, Odisha Govt and Policy makers never planned an Engineering College at Dharamgarh Sub – division. Today thus, Kalahandi claims its legitimate right for second Engineering College [first being Bhawanipatna Engineering College] as redemption of its loss in the past due to the ridiculous planning in Orissa State.
II]. Vedanta has entered into the Kalahandi soil for mining operation and many other companies are likely to come into Kalahandi to plunder its hidden wealth in near future. Odisha government would earn millions and billions as royalty out of the property of Kalahandi. Thus, why the policy makers of Odisha will not plan a Second Govt. Engineering College at Kalahandi ?
III] Students of low-income family of this district cannot opt for engineering degree from private technical institution because of the disparity of fees structure and shelter between Govt. and Private Engineering colleges. As such, another Government Engineering College at Dharamgarh Sub- division is highly essential.
IV]. Establishment of a Second Govt. Engineering College at Dharamgarh would not only cater to the technical educational need of Kalahandi, Bolangir, Nuapada and Nawrangpur districts but also it will attract aspirants from neighbouring Chhatisgarh State, particularly from Bastar and Debhog regions which are very close to Dharamgarh Sub – division.
5. Agricultural University at Dharamgarh
Justification
I] Junagarh – Dharamgarh area is primarily an agrarian belt of KBK zone that deserves special attention of the Policy makers. Indravati dam has irrigated the area. The sub-division, moreover, lies at the NH – 201 and SH besides, railway linkage will soon be available with the construction of the Junagarh – lanjigarh line and Kantabanji – Nawrangpur railway line. Raipur Aerodrome is hardly 150 Km from Dharamgarh. As such, an Agricultural University can thrive in Junagarh – Dharamgarh belt.
II] The said University will cater to the need of KBK zone in particular and south- west Odisha in general as Kalahandi locates in the centre of the KBK.
III. Undivided Kalahandi still preserves primeval shrub and varieties of flora. Archaeologically, it has been proven that undivided Kalahandi was the cradle of agriculture. The soil and excellent riparian system as well as fluctuating eco – systems offers a pretext of experiment, which can be possible only if an Agricultural University would be established here.
6. National Institute of Basic Science and Research Institute at Nuapada in the manner of NISER of Bhubaneswar.
Justification
The policy makers, intellectuals, and government are well aware about the poverty, and backwardness of Nuapada district. Now the time is rife to provide the people Basic Science Education & Research facilities in the line of NISER of Bhubaneswar, so that the region would march ahead as per other developed districts of the State and the wrongs done by the Orissa Government towards Nuapada region during the last sixty years would be redeemed.
Nuapada has been well – connected by NH, SH, Rail and its nearest Raipur Aerodrum is hardly 80 Km distance from it.
7. Ayurvedic College and a Botanical Research Centre at Narla – M.Rampur – Kesinga & Langigarh.
Justification
No – I. Kondmall mountain range traverses in these geographical entities of Kalahandi District. The mountain and forest clad lands are full of diverse flora which must be preserved and used for the well-beings of the people through education, training and research.
II. These two Institutions, moreover, would work as a catalytic force against Vedanta Allumina Ltd, of Langigarh from damaging the floral species of Niyamgiri hill during its minening operation, to which the Kalahandi people are primarily concern.
III. Tribal peoples of Kalahandi primarily rely on ethno – medicine. The Ayurvedic College and Botanical Research Centre would further expand its scope and dimension through modern technique for the welfare of the tribal peoples.
An Appeal
Therefore, as people’s representative, I urge your august office to include these proposals of Higher Education and Research institutions for undivided Kalahandi, which is the lowest Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in particular, and KBK in general in the State. The above schemes could be mooted and implemented by the Policy makers and the government of the state at least fifty years before the present. But unfortunately the planning bodies did not pay their attention consciously and deliberately in the past as also the government.
Sincerely Yours
Bhakta Charan Das, M.P [ Loksabha].
Copy to
1. Smt. Prativa Patil, Hon,ble President of India, New Delhi.
2. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon,ble Prime Minister of India, New Delhi
3. Sri. Kapil Sibbal, Hon,ble Union Minister of HRD, Govt. of India, New Delhi.
4. Dr. Sam Petroda, Hon,ble Chairman National Knowledge Commission, Govt. of India, New Delhi.
5. Sri. Murali Kant Bhandare, Hon,ble Governor of Odisha State, Rajbhavan, Bhubaneswar.
6. Sri. Naveen Pattnaik, Hon,ble Chief Minister of Odisha State.
7. Sri. Bhupinder Singh, Hon,ble Leader of Opposition, Orissa Legislative Asssembly, Bhubaneswar.
Bhakta Charan Das [ M.P] Loksabha
Kalahandi
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