Governor and Chancellor of universities SC Jamir on Saturday exhorted leaders and intellectuals to shun negativism and cultivate a sense of patriotism in their acts and utterances for prosperity and development of the country.
While inaugurating the 52nd Foundation Day of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology here, Dr Jamir said the mindsets of leaders, including MPs were unique during the first 15 years of the Independence.
A problem of Punjab or Odisha used to draw national attention and the leaders took it up for solution which fostered a feeling of unity and caring for others.
But, he rued, the situation has changed now. leaders now talk only of their area or State. This breeds a sort of narrowness of vision, he said, adding that while leaders have to shun negativism and focus on development of their region, they would have to do that with a national outlook. Dr Jamir said Odisha is rich in minerals and Odias are highly intellectual; yet, the State is still economically poor, which is a mystery. But there is no doubt that Odisha would one day become a very prosperous State. “The intellectuals will have to come out and be part of the progress in a significant way,” he said and added, “I’ll be there to extend whatever help, always.” The Governor felicitated best graduates of different streams of the university while also felicitating many farmers for their unique approaches and achievements.
Among others, Agriculture Minister and OUAT Pro-Chancellor Debi Prasad Mishra, Vice-Chancellor Prof Manoranjan Kar and Principal Agriculture Secretary Rajesh Verma also spoke on the occasion.