Under the joint initiative of the Alumni Association and Alumni Connect of the Utkal University (UU), the third motivational lecture under ‘Meet the Alumni Lecture Series’ was held online on July 24.

Director General, Indian Meteorological Department and an alumnus himself, Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra delivered the lecture in a well attended web platform.

At the outset, coordinator of the Alumni Connect Professor Dr Kunjabihari Panda introduced the speaker and delivered his welcome address.

D Mahapatra, in his well articulated speech, explained in detail the functioning of the Meteorological Department with special reference to its advanced warning sysyem in accurately forecasting the formation of cyclone, its course, and its impact, thereby helping the authorities in preventing the loss of valuable humanlife and livestock by taking adequate protective measures in advance.

On special request, Dr Mohapatra narrated vividly his journey from a lower middle class family of a village in Bhadrak district to the present position.

He stressed that his strong willpower, hard labour, sincerety of purpose, unwavering faith on god and  blessings of his parents were key factors which were instrumental to overcome all obstacles to achieve success in his life.

He, therefore, impressed upon the students to nurture the qualities and pursue their life’s aim with singleminded determination.

Alumni Association president and former Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik in his presidential remarks summed up the speech of Dr Mohapatra and appreciated his valuable contribution in developing an advanced warning system  thereby helping the authorities to deal with cyclone management.

Dr Gunanidhi Sahoo, member of the Alumni Connect gave vote of thanks. Joint Secretary of the Alumni Association Raghunath Prusty conducted the programme.

Joint Treasurer Dr Birakishore Dash, Gadadhar Rath, Dr Pradeep Kumar Rath, Dr Manoranjan Bhuyan, Amiya Kumar Mohanty,Tanmay Swain, RS Pattanayak, Pradipta Kumar Bisoyi, Dr Santosh Kumar Kamila, Tapan Kumar Jena, Dillip Kumar Mishra, Pragyan Pattanaik, Harekrushna Sial, Santosh Sethy, Namita Mohapatra, Anil Kumar Giri, Amita Das, Narayan Tripathy and Santosh Kumar Mohapatra were present on behalf of the Alumni Association.

Apart from Alumni Connect members Prof Bhaswati Pattanayak and Dr Anasuya Nath were present, besides Prof Dasarathi Sahoo, Dr Sumitra Murmu, Sanjay Kumar Sarangi and students in great numbers.