Central University of Orissa (CUO), Koraput Vice-Chancellor Prof Sachidananda Mohanty dedicated a lecture titled ‘Participatory Governance: Issues and Challenges’ on Wednesday in the memory of Itishree Pradhan, who died after she was set on fire by unidentified miscreants on October 27, 2013 in Rayagada district.
The audience at the CUO observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to Pradhan. Terming the incident as ‘a collective shame’, Prof Mohanty said a young and promising woman’s life was snuffed out due to indifference and callousness of the existing social order.
“Pradhan’s death is a wakeup call for the entire state. We should collectively mourn her death and commit ourselves for the educational upliftment of women commensurate with their safety and dignity” he stated.