Senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik on Wednesday expressed deep anguish as no Odisha university figured among the Top 100 Government-run academic institutions of the country.
“There was a time when Odisha took great pride in the quality and reputation of many educational institutions. Generations of teachers, students and leaders had built this reputation through hard work and dedication. Then came Naveen Patnaik; a leader who has no reason to take pride in institutions of Odisha beyond votes, and the results are there for all to see. Naveenbabu does not love Odia or Odisha and has clinical affection for everyone around,” alleged Patnaik in a statement.
He said the State has squandered everything because of its historical misfortune of being ruled by a leader who lacked any interest in developing institutions. For Naveenbabu, the lone barometer of success is winning elections, he said.
The former Minister lamented that the NIT, Rourkela, which used to be among the Top 10 engineering colleges in the country, is now at an uncomfortable 19th place. But the decline of the institutions like Utkal University, Ravenshaw College and SCB Medical College is monumental, he said.
“The proof of the pudding is in eating. The survey shows how the BJD Government has performed during the last 17 years and should be an awakening call for all right-thinking Odias,” viewed Patnaik.
He too condemned the arrest of youth activists protesting the refusal of Naveen Patnaik to learn Odia.
“With criminals and mafia elements moving around scot free, the CM seems to have a particular tendency to use criminal law to muzzle all forms of democratic protests,” he alleged.