Bhubaneswar: Ravenshaw Heritage Forum today approached the Governor of Odisha over the controversy over the renaming of Ravenshaw University.
Padma Shri Debi Prasanna Patnaik, Arabinda Behera, Archana Nayak, Sudarshan Das, Badri Narayan Mohanty, Santosh Sethi were present on behalf of the forum.
The delegation told the Governor that the proposal to change the name of Ravenshaw University was not acceptable at all and the ongoing debate over it was unfortunate. Apprised the Governor ofhow the history of The Odia nation was being distorted and distorted in the name of debate. He drew the attention of the Governor to how ravenshaw university can be made a world class institution instead of changing its name.
At the same time, the delegation appealed to the Governor to improve and understand how the education system from primary education to higher education has collapsed in the entire state.
Ravenshaw College/ University is the pride and pride of the people of Odisha. It is a heritage institution. This is a reflection of the asmita of the Odisha nation. Dr. Behera told the Governor that the proposal to change its name was unfortunate and everyone should be deprived of it and sought the Governor’s intervention to put an end to the debate over it.
Shri Das, Convener, Heritage Forum said that the meeting with the Governor was very cordial. The Governor assured the delegation thatthere was “no reason to worry” about the change in the name of the university. Similarly, Shri Das informed that he has promised to hold discussions with the Education Department to improve the standard of education in Ravenshaw University and other educational institutions of the state.
It may be recalled that on August 31, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had called for a debate by proposing renaming of Ravenshaw University. Protests against it are being held at various levels as well as seminars, meeting committees etc.
The Ravenshaw Heritage Forum has written a letter to the President, Prime Minister and The Chief Minister of Odishaopposing this. The Heritage Forum has met the Governor today in the same sequence and submitted a charter of demands. Similarly, the Chief Minister of the State will be met and apprised of the same, Shri Das said .