First convocation of VSSUT concluded

The first ever convocation of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) of Burla was held in its own premises where as many as 337 students were conferred with degrees by the chancellor and governor of Orissa Muralidahr Chandrakant Bhandare. On the occasion two students of the University Seema Sahu, Gangabhusam Nayak received gold medal for their excellent position in graduation and post-graduation level. In the convocation function, fellow of National aerospace laboratories, Bangalore Padmadree Dr. Kota Harinarayan was attended as chief guest.“It was a dream that becomes true after convocation is over peacefully. We are grateful to the chancellor and others esteemed functionaries who extended their cooperation to make the function successful”, vice chancellor of the VSSUT Prof. Deb Kumar Tripathy said.

Established in 1956 near Hirakud Dam project on the side of the River Mahanadi, the University college of Engineering (UCE) becomes university on its 53 years after government renamed it as Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology vide Orissa act 9 of 2009 from 1^st July 2009

Sambalpur Lok-Mahotsav : Guv inaugurated

Guv surpasses CM in Oriya reading

Orissa governor surpasses state chief minister Naveen Patnaik at least in addressing a gathering in pure Oriya language. Governor MC Bhandare was addressing a gathering in Oriya language while inaugurated the 3-day Lok Mahotsav on Thursday in Sambalpur. Governor’s gestures and pronunciation of Oriya was enough to spellbind the gathering. People applauded the way governor appreciated the culture and tradition of the region during his 10 minute speech. He also did not forget to recognize the handlooms and songs of the region which always become his field of interest.

“I like rich culture heritage and language of the region which becomes the heart of the people of the state. I am also a great admirer of the handloom product of the region that makes the state proud worldwide”, Governor Bhandare said. Encouraging the organizers, governor expressed happiness to being a part in a cultural extravaganza where artists of various states across the country would get occasion to exchange their culture and tradition.

Artists from far away Rajasthan and Gujarat along with local artists who performed many folk items to attract the gathering but it was the Oriya speech of Governor which became the talk of the people gathered in the festive show.

“No doubt we appreciated the artists for their performances, but it was the governor’s Oriya speech which remained as the talk of the people. We hear the speech of our CM but only few words in Oriya and rest in Hindi or English. But thanks to the old man who read his entire speech in Oriya and with proper pronunciation and assents”, J K Behera said.

On the other hand, the collector of Sambalpur who is also the chairman of the district culture council which organized the event was giving his welcome speech in English after the inaugural speech of governor every one spoke in Oriya while addressing the gathering. “We feel proud for the governor who made every one aware about our own fault. We are talking about the culture and heritage but at the same time we are forgetting our own language”, a member of the organizing committee said. .

But it was the state health minister Prasanna Acharya who not only delivered his speech in local Sambalpur language but he demanded the recognition of the language during his speech. “We know every one likes our culture and language but we want its true recognition”, Acharya said.

The 3-day cultural festival is organized every year in January but due to some unavoidable circumstances the festival rescheduled in February. “We understand the problems as examination of various classes are nearing. So we have decided to organize this festival as per its earlier schedule in January” collector (Sambalpur) Hemant Kumar Dash said.

Sources said, the 14^th cultural festival ‘Lok Mohotsav’ is organized by the district cultural council with the help of culture department of Orissa and Eastern Zone Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata to promote local culture and art that are slowly extinct. In the afternoon a street procession of artists was organized where various participants took part with their traditional costume and instruments.