A controversy has erupted over the naming of the proposed Baleswar Government Medical College and Hospital, a much-hyped dream project in the area, before its takeoff while it has been delayed by at least a year from the schedule of its operation.
Several civil society groups demand that the college be named after the doyen of the Odia literature Fakir Mohan Senapati while several civil bodies of Remuna want it should be named after Shri Sridhar Swami, an acclaimed Sanskrit scholar of the 14th century of village Mayurgram under Remuna block.
Saint Sridhar had combined the Advaita teachings of Shankar with the devotion of the Bhagavad Gita. It is believed that he laid the first foundation of the Vaisnava Bhakti movement in Bengal on the basis of Gita during the Shankara reign.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid foundation-stone for the college and hospital on October 28, 2014. Although the State Government has committed that courses in the college would begin from the education session 2017-18 , the building construction has not been completed by the target date. So, an MCI team is yet to visit Baleswar.
On the other hand, in Baripada, establishment of the Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College, which was considered later than the Baleswar college, could become ready for beginning of admission and classes from the current education session.
Baleswar district Collector Pramod Das, however, said there is no decision yet on the part of the district administration to name the college after anybody.
“It is only recognised as Balasore Government Medical College and Hospital although demands of naming it after different eminent personalities are pouring in. If the Government desires, a name for the college can be given,” said Das.
“The construction work of the college is almost ready. Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Ananta Das has written to the Government to invite an MCI team for inspection so that admission and classes could begin from the current session. We are still optimistic that the college would be operational from this year,” he added.