n The State Government on Wednesday declared renaming of the North Orissa University (NOU) at Baripada after Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo, erstwhile ruler of princely state of Mayurbhanj.
The name has been changed with effect from the date of publication of the notification in the Odisha Gazette on July 13, 1998.
The move came following a proposal given by Rajya Sabha member from Mayurbhanj Mamata Mahanta at the State Council meeting of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday. The Department of Higher Education brought out a Gazette Notification on Wednesday renaming the NOU as Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo University.
Maharaja Bhanj Deo was a benevolent ruler and has brought large-scale development of the tribal region, which proudly boasts of its education, art, culture and heritage.
The State Government is celebrating the Maharaja’s 150th birth anniversary this year. Earlier, Chief Minister Patnaik had also approved the proposal for renovation of the Sriram Chandra Pathagar (Jubilee Library) and its takeover by the State Government for further development by the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture.