The State Government is fully committed to making policy provisions to build Odisha as the most-preferred educational hub in the country, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during the foundation-stone laying ceremony for a permanent campus of the IIM-Sambalpur on Saturday.
Thanking Prime Minister Modi for laying the stone for infrastructural development of the IIM Sambalpur via videoconferencing, Patnaik said the institute, set up in 2015, has already proved its mettle as one of the premier management institutions of the country.
Patnaik said, “I am sure with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, more and more Central institutes will come to Odisha and accelerate the growth trajectory of the State.”
“I am happy to know that IIM Sambalpur has entered into an MoU with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises with emphasis on nurturing entrepreneurial talent of local weavers and agro-based businesses and to incubate startups in these areas. This works in line with the Government of Odisha’s resolve to ensure inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development in the State,” he said.
He said, “Education in Odisha is witnessing a rapid transformation. I am particularly happy that our state continues its dominance in education sector and has emerged as the education hub of the eastern India. With the establishment of IIM, IIT, NISER, IISER, AIIMS, NLU and many other Institutions of national importance, Odisha is emerging as a leading research hub of the nation.”
PM Modi said, “Till 2014, there were 13 IIMs in India. Today, there are 20 IIMs. Such a large talent pool can help strengthen the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign.”
The PM praised the great culture and traditions of Odisha starting from tie and dye art of Sambalpuri fabrics to that of filigree of Cuttack. “With all these and the rich natural resources, local could be converted to global,” said he.
State Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Ramesh Pokhariwal and Pratap Sarangi also attended the event.