After the shocking incident of showing disrespect to the bust of renowned scientist Dr Pranakrushna Parija, the Ravenshaw University here is now dogged with yet another dubious distinction as a newly-installed bust of its founder TE Ravenshaw was stolen from the high-security Kanika library in the campus.
After a hue and cry by students, the university authorities had reluctantly agreed to instal the bust of the controversial former Cuttack Commissioner of British East India Company. Accordingly, the busts of Ravenshaw and erstwhile Maharaja of Mayurbhanj Krushna Chandra Bhanja Deo were installed in the library on Tuesday as part of what the university authorities say ‘Hall of Fame’ project.
“But on Tuesday night itself, the bust of Ravenshaw was stolen, leaving his pedestal empty,” informed the university media officer Netaji Abhinandan, adding that the image of Maharaja of Mayurbhanj is, however, perched merrily on an adjacent pedestal.While a complaint was lodged at the local Malgodown police station, the university authorities, without any remorse, maintained that a new bust of Ravenshaw would soon be installed at the appropriate place.
Notably, way back in 2010, the bust of Prof Parija was uprooted and thrown into a dingy corner where phenyl bottles, toilet buckets and brooms were stored. The disrespect shown to the bust of eminent educationist inside the university campus had received severe criticism from the intelligentsia.
