Central University of Odisha organises a National Seminar on Dr B R Ambedkar
Koraput : As part of the one-week celebration programme “Samarasta Saptaha” during 7-15 April 2025on the occasion of the architect of Indian Constitution, Social reformer and eminent educationist Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar’s 134th birth anniversary a national Seminar on ‘Realising the Constitutional Goals in Contemporary India from Dr B R Ambedkar’s Perspective” was organised at the Central University of Odisha on 15 April 2025.
The Programme was chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Chakradhar Tripathi with the presence of eminent dignitaries including former Union Minister Prof Sanjaya Paswan as Chief Speaker, MLA Koraput Raghuram Machha as Guest of Honour, Akhil Bharat Samrasta Pramukh Shyam Prasad, the Chairman of the Seminar and Head of the Department of Economics Prof Rathikant Kumbhar and Convener of the Programme Dr Gourav Ranjan. The weeklong programme was organised by the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, Dr Ambedkar Chair of Excellence, Centre for Tribal Welfare and Community Development, SC/ST Cell of CUO, Dept. of Sociology and Dept of Economics of the University.
Speaking on the occasion Prof Tripathi said that Dr Ambedkar always dreamt of a developed society which can be achieved through education. Education needs sacrifice and students and teachers should work for the society through sacrifice, he said. For this purpose, the mindset should be developed which was the motto of Dr Ambedkar. The students should work for development of science and technology though research. He further declared that the University is planning to develop an awareness centre on Dr Ambedkar and a corpus fund for the purpose.
Prof Paswan urged the community to work together for fulfilling the dreams of Dr Ambedkar. Ambedkar stressed the need of education for development, and we should also follow it, he said. In the era of inter disciplinary education system we should work for human excellence and human development. Dr Ambedkar is remembered for his fight for social justice and social emancipation. It will be a befitting remembrance if we follow the path of Dr Ambedkar in social equality. Cooperative instead of corporatisation is the need of the hour. We should all work for cooperative campaign. We should work in a constructive force, instead of opposing force in the path of development, he said. After independence political democracy was achieved, but social democracy is yet to be achieved, he lamented.
Raghuram Machha said that due to Dr Ambedkar all deprived sections of the society are getting the benefits socially and economically. He urged all communities to contribute towards nation building. He also hoped that the dream of Dr Ambedkar on Education for All can be fulfilled soon.
Shyam Prasad said that if we want to materialise the ideas of Dr Ambedkar, we have to know the Indian Constitution first so that everyone should know the constitutional morality, he said. If the line of constitution is known to all, India can achieve development. In every syllabi, Indian Constitution should be taught, so that we will know our moral identity, he said.
Prof Rathikant Kumbhar delivered the thematic address and said that it’s time to assess the objective fulfilment of affirmative actions taken by Dr Ambedkar and needs assessment. Dr Gourav Ranjan delivered the welcome address and Dr Sourav Gupta, Nodal Officer of EBSB of the Programme delivered the Vote of Thanks. The programme was attended by all the members of the CUO community including the organising members Dr Kapila Khemundu, Dr B K Srinivas, Dr Nesha Sabar and other faculty members. The inaugural programme was followed by technical session where faculty members, scholars and students presented their research papers.
In the valedictory programme Prof. Premanshi Jayadeva, Pataliputra University, Patna attended as the Chief Speaker and highlighted the vision of Dr Ambedkar on Education
The seven days programme was organised with various events including inaugural rally, elocution competition, painting competition, song competition and valedictory procession. The faculty members, students, staff and research scholars of the University participated in the seven-day programme with pleasure.
