Berhampur: An open-air gym opened by Paralakhemundi Municipality on the campus of Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati (SKCG) Autonomous College at Paralakhemundi in Odisha’s Gajapati district has kicked off a controversy.
The Principal of SKCG College, Jeteendranath Patnaik has raised a strong objection to the gym and demanded its removal from the campus by the municipality.
According to sources, when the Covid pandemic started in 2020, the Paralakhemundi Municipality proposed to set up the open-air gym on SKCG College ground to be used by the public. The then principal also allowed it for the benefit of the college students.
The gym was set up on 128 square meter area adjacent to the SKCG playground at a cost of Rs 5.49 lakh in February 2023, the sources said. The place has display board written as “Public Gym”.
Present principal Patnaik questioned the justifications of installing a ‘public gym’ in an autonomous college campus. “The fitness equipment in the gym has become a safety hazard. Maintenance of the gym and regular inspection of the equipment by the municipality staff is important. If some gym equipment is broken or some unpleasant situation arises, who would be held responsible. I am answerable for whatever happens on college property,” he said.
He also said he had raised his objection before the municipality staff who visit the ‘Public Gym’ several times. “I want the gym to be removed and the board of ‘Open Gym’ should mention that is funded or sponsored by the Paralakhemundi Municipality. The word ‘Public’ must be omitted,” he added.
The principal also expressed his displeasure over morning walkers, mostly public, using the SKCG ground. “I don’t know whether our students are using the playground or not. But sometimes, the playground is too crowded by the general public. It is unnecessarily affecting the quality of the playground. The maintenance of the ground has become a headache for us,” he said.
“We are planning to restrict public entry to our playground for two hours in the morning and evening. A decision has already been taken by the Governing Body in this regard,” he added.
The playground of SKCG College, founded under the patronage of former Paralakhemundi king Goura Chandra Gajapati Narayana Deo in 1896, is a morning walkers’ delight. Over 100 walkers, who visit the lush green campus every morning. “Walking in this campus is the most satisfying feeling and it is the only field available in Paralakhemundi town, ” said an alumnus.
