On 47th foundation day of Sambalpur Varsity
On the occasion of 47th foundation day of the Sambalpur University on Friday, the most prestigious Gangadhar National Award for poetry for the year 2012 was conferred on renowned Sindhi poet Vasdev Mohi. Governor and Chancellor of universities Dr SC Jamir, attending the function as the chief guest, gave away the award.
After receiving the national award, Mohi in his reaction said,“Poetry is the custodian of civilisation. It develops human qualities and checks bestiality in man. All art forms make the world worth living.”
Prior to this, eminent poets like Alli Sardar Zafri, Kedar Nath Singh, Ayyapa Panikar, Shakti Chottopadhyaya, K. Sachidanandan, Dillip Chitre, Jayanta Mohapatra, Gulzar, Nabakanta Barua, Prof AMK Shahryar, Nirupama Kaur, Binda Karandikar, Haraprasad Dash, Ramakant Rath, Surjit Patar, Rajendra Kishore Panda and Balraj Komal have received this award for their excellence in the field of poetry.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Jamir said the Sambalpur University severed as a beckon of knowledge in western Odisha, a region which is backward in terms of Human Development Index (HDI). At the same time, he highly praised the rich art and culture of the vast region.
Dr Jamir stressed on the need for a healthy teacher-pupil relationship. He suggested that the university authorities should remain committed to the all round development of the students and prepare them aptly to face the challenges in the current knowledge boom.
Sambalpur University Vice Chancellor Prof BC Barik in his welcome address narrated the achievement of the university in past years. A few former teaching and non-teaching staff members of the university were felicitated.