No Canteen At Ravenshaw University, Students Eat At Roadside Stalls Or Go Hungry

Cuttack: One of the most renowned universities of Odisha, the Ravenshaw University at Cuttack is facing backlash from students for not opening a canteen inside the campus.

In the absence of a canteen, students are forced to eat unhygienic food at the roadside stalls near the main gate, while some others prefer to stay hungry instead of having the unhealthy food.

Speaking about the problem, Shushrita Nayak, said, “We spend around six hours a day on the university campus. There is no canteen  and we have no choice but to eat unhygienic food from the roadside stalls, which is expensive too.”

“Many small educational institutes in Odisha have their own canteens. Ravenshaw is one of the leading universities in the state but it has no canteen for students. We have raised the issue with the university authorities but to no avail,” said another student, Amartya Anurag.

Displeased students have requested the university Registrar to open a canteen on the campus. To satisfy the hunger pangs of the students, the university authorities have invited fresh tenders from private agencies for the same. However, nothing has been finalised yet.

Ravenshaw University Registrar Ashok Kumar Dash said, “We have urged the Public Works Department to repair the canteen building. Steps are being taken to rope in a private party to run the canteen.”

Four years ago, Ravenshaw University had a canteen on its campus for providing hygienic food to the students. But soon, the quality went for a toss and a few students fell ill after eating the unhealthy food. In the wake of this, the authorities were forced to shut down the canteen.