JNU Odisha Students Association Observes 80th “Odisha Day”
02 April, New Delhi
Odisha Students Association (OSA), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi celebrated 80thOdisha Day on 1st April 2015 in the University premises .
Rabindra Nath Singh, senior bureaucrat and social activist was the chief guest on this auspicious occasion and addressed the audience extensively on development, marginality and regional disparities in Odisha.
He spoke about the cultural diversity of Odisha in general and cultural richness in tribal regions of South Odisha, Western Odisha and North Odisha in particular. He said Odisha can be the most developed states in India if we unite and work for the marginalised sections of the society.
Kulamani Biswal, Director of Finance, NTPC, New Delhi was the guest of honour and reminded how our Odia freedom fighters fought for Independent Odisha state. Professor H.B. Bohidar, School of Physical Sciences and Chairperson, Special Centre for Nano Science was the chief speaker for this celebration. He highlighted that Odisha is not known for one language or one culture, it has endowed with its rich cultural, linguistic and religious diversity. He also specially emphasised on the issues of importance with related to quality of education, health, sanitation and empowerment of marginalised sections of Odisha.
Odia Students of JNU, Delhi University and Odia Cultural troupe of Odisha performed Samablpuri, folk dance of Koraput Dhemsa, Tribal Dance, Odissi, and many more cultural programmes in the evening. Large number of audience from JNU, DU, and across National Capital Territory of Delhi participated and enjoyed the cultural programme.
Odisha Students Association formed in JNU with a vision for the development of Odisha with inclusiveness, democratic ethos, and academic spirit of students’ movement for the cause of social justice, equality, marginalised and welfare of all sections of Odisha.
The Odisha Students Association (OSA), JNU also oraganised one day National Seminar on Development and Marginality: Locating Odisha in Contemporary India at JNU on 28thMarch 2015 to commemorate Odisha Foundation Day. Professor H.B. Bohidar, Patron of OSA, Former Chief Proctor, JNU & Senior Professor, School of Physical Sciences and Chairperson, Special Centre for Nano Science; Professor Biswamaya Pati, Department of History, Delhi University; Professor Raj Kumar, Department of English, Delhi University; Dr. Prabhakar Palaka, Department of English, DU; Dr. Bishnu Nag, Department of Economics, DU; Dr. Pradyumna Bag, Department of Sociology, Jamia Milia Islamia (Central University, Delhi); Dr. Pankaj Deep, Department of Law & Public Policy, Gautam Buddha University; Dr. Tapan Kumar Mahanand, Department of Political Science, DU; were the speakers and highlighted the issues of Higher Education, Chronic Poverty, Odia Literature, Language, Culture, and Freedom & Social Movements of Odisha.