Bhubaneswar: ‘Jaago’, a movement involving students of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA) in Bhubaneswar, is dedicated to the welfare of children belonging to the lowest strata of society, said SOA Vice- President Saswati Das on Monday.
“It aims at overall development of children who are neglected because of their circumstances,” she said while speaking at a programme, organised at the Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER) and attended by the new batch of students who have taken admission in different streams in the university.
While welcoming the new students, she thanked those continuing their studies in the university for taking keen interest in social work and programmes intended to benefit the society.
Large number of SOA students have been spending their leisure hours by teaching slum children while the university takes care of their health and other needs. The children are brought to the campus in university buses in the evening to be taught by students.
“Rare talents often fade away unnoticed due to poverty. It was Jaago’s objective to ensure all-round development of such children and shape their personality,” Das said. She also mentioned the contribution made by the faculty members, staff and students of SOA for the growth and accomplishments of the university over the years.
Prof Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of SOA, who also attended the programme, said ‘Jaago’ was launched soon after it was accorded the Deemed to be University status in July 2007. The students who were involved in the movement were developing into responsible citizens, he added.
Prof Sanghamitra Mishra, Dean, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital; Prof Neeta Mohanty, Dean, Institute of Dental Sciences; Prof Renu Sharma, Additional Dean (Student Affairs), ITER and Prof Anita Panda, Mentor of Jaago also spoke.
Prof PK Sahoo, Dean, ITER, Prof Manas Kumar Mallick, Director, ITER and Prof Basanta Kumar Pati of IMS and SUM Hospital were present.
