Koraput: The faculty and students of Central University of Odisha, here paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhai Patel on the occasion of his birth anniversary and took a pledge to preserve the unity, integrity and security of the nation. The birthday of the Iron Man of India on October 31 is observed as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Divas’.
Speaking at a function organised on the occasion, Prof I. Ramabrahmam of the university said security is not confined to the national boundaries and restricted to policemen, army and other paramilitary forces. Rather, it widens the concept of national unity and integrity through higher education in general and educational institutions in particular. He advised the students to become informed citizens for nation-building and national unity.
Registrar of the university Prof. Asit Kumar Das spoke on the sacrifices and hardships faced by Sardar Patel in uniting the country.
Prof. Sharat Kumar Palita, Dean, School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources; Prof. Saroj Panigrahi, Head of Dept. of Mathematics; Prof. P. Durgaprasad, visiting professor of Sociology; Dr. Phagunath Bhoi, PRO; Sudhakar Patnaik, OIC and Er. Padmalochan Swain along with teaching, non-teaching staff and students of the university participated in the programme.