Friday, February 25, 2011

Appeal for Converting Govt. Autonomous College Bhawanipatna to ODISHA/MAHAKANTARA UNIVERSITY

Note: Though its not yet 100% confirmed but Chief Minister of Odisha might visit on the ocassion of Golden Jubliee Closing ceremony of Govt College Bhawanipatna on 28th Feb, which seems positive, please send him an email requesting "Kindly upgrade Govt Authonomous College Bhawanipatna to a state University"

Letter Sent to CM

Sub: Converting Govt. (A) College Bhawanipatna to ODISHA/MAHAKANTARA UNIVERSITY

Dear Honourable Chief Minister Mr. Patnaik,


Ancient MAHAKANTARA consisting present days Kalahandi, Koraput region has a great history. Perhaps very few other regions in present Odisha except Bhubaneswar region have a great ancient civilization like Kalahandi, about 2000 – 5000 years old. The history of Kalahandi goes back to the primitive period where a well-civilized, urbanized and cultured people inhabited on this land mass around 2000 years ago. World's largest celt of Stone Age and largest cemetery of megalithic age have been discovered here – this shows the region had cradle of civilization since the pre-historic era. Asurgarh in Kalahandi was one of the oldest metropolises in present Odisha whereas the other one was Sisupalgarh. The history of Kalahandi is rich in terms of contribution towards the Indian culture and temple architecture. Temple of Goddess Stambeswari, built during 500 AD, is a perfect example where the first brick Temple in Eastern India was built. Sanskritization in Odisha was first started from ancient Mahakantara region. Earliest flat-roofed stone temple of Orissa was built at Mohangiri in Kalahandi during 600 AD. Temple architecture achieved perfection at Belkhandi in Kalahandi and then traversed to Ekamra, present Bhubaneswar, along with the political expansion of the Somavamsis during the 1000–1100 AD.

Some other historical forts in the region includes Budhigarh (ancient period), Amthagarh (ancient period), Belkhandi (ancient to medieval period), Tersinga, and Dadpur-Jajjaldeypur (medieval period). In ancient history this kingdom was serving as salt route to link between ancient Kalinga and South Kosala. This land was unconquered by the great Ashoka. In medieval period also the region had played a prominent role to link South India, Eastern India and Central India region and witnessed the battle ground for Somavansi, Chola, Kalachuris and Gangas. The distribution and occurrence of precious and semi-precious gemstones and other commercial commodities of this region have found place in accounts of Panini (5th century BC), Kautilya (3rd century BC), Ptolemy (2nd century AD), Wuang Chuang (7th century AD) and Travenier (19th century AD).

Unfortunately rich historical significance of this region is not getting notice and recognized in the state Governmental level.

Odisha higher education task force has already recommended for upgrading Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna (GACB) to a state University in South Western Odisha region. Although the task force has recommended the name as South Western Odisha University, recently I realised that there is no university in the name of ODISHA UNIVERSITY.

Beside ODISHA UNIVERSITY at Bhawanipatna, MAHAKANTARA UNIVERSITY (in the line of Utkal University) could also be seriously considered due to historical significance of this region. Other probable name could be Kalahandi University (in the line of Sambalpur University), Bhawanipatna University (in the line of Berhampur University), etc.

Your recent announcement in Ganjam to make Khallikote Autonomous College to a Unitary University soon is very much welcome. However, logically and taking into consideration of practical purpose, at this moment urgency of a state University in KBK region is more important over conversion of Unitary Universities, which are already Autonomous Colleges locating in those region where there are already general state Universities.

The necessity of a state University at Bhawanipatna for KBK region bears importance because for practical purpose as the local students and people of KBK suffer while travelling to Sambalpur or Berhampur Universities due to long distance and poor communication.

Bhawanipatna being the central town in KBK and GACB being the one of the first three colleges of Potential Centre of Excellence received from UGC along with Gangadhar Meher College at Sambalpur and Ravenshaw College at Cuttack in Odisha, make deem fit for up gradation to a state University immediately. GACB is the only College in KBK region which has received UGC recognition and the demand for a University in Kalahandi has been since decades.

This year Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna is celebrating Golden Jubilee and I anticipate you declare it to become a state University during this period.

Thanking you and best regards

Digambara Patra

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