Shri Rabindra Nath Singh, senior bureaucrat and social activist graced the occasion as the chief guest. In his address, Mr Singh extensively pointed out on socio economic development, marginality and regional disparities in Odisha.
Mr Singh addressed 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 people of the state work hand in hand for the best interest of marginalised sections of the society.
Guest of honour, Shri Kulamani Biswal, Director of Finance, NTPC, New Delhi reminded how our Odia freedom fighters fought for Independent Odisha state. He asked the youth to live up to their dream for the all-round development of the state.
Professor H.B. Bohidar, School of Physical Sciences and Chairperson, Special Centre for Nano Science, JNU 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.
The Odisha Students Association (OSA), JNU also oraganised one day National Seminar on Development and Marginality: Locating Odisha in Contemporary India at JNU on 28th March 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 University; Dr. Pankaj Deep, Department of Law & Public Policy, Gautam Buddha University; Dr. Tapan Kumar Mahanand, Department of Political Science, DU; shared their views and highlighted the issues of Higher Education, Chronic Poverty, Odia Literature, Language, Culture, and Freedom & Social Movements of Odisha in the seminar.
In their presentations, the participants addressed the failure of state’s mechanism and raised some important questions on the issues of social justice, regional disparities, and historical negligence of certain sections of society. They also suggested valuable ideas on the said issues and presented their valuable suggestion in order to eradicate chronic poverty and establish social justice, democracy, equality, liberty and fraternity in Odisha.
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.