The declaration of the second campus of premier management institute, Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB) at Rourkela by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been widely welcomed. Many say since the Chief Minister after recommending Sambalpur for the Odisha IIM has declared the XIMB campus for Rourkela, it is the Chief Minister’s double bonanza for the western Odisha.
Notably, Patnaik had drawn flak in Rourkela after he wrote in favour of Sambalpur for the IIM as many organizations and political parties had been demanding the premier business school in Rourkela right from the time the announcement for IIM in Odisha was made. Even though the opposition party leaders including BJP and Congress here were not against IIM in Sambalpur, they very cunningly were targeting Patnaik, saying that they would have been happier if Rourkela was recommended for the IIM. it is clearly understood that in coming Rourkela Municipal election, the BJD may be targeted on the IIM issue.
However, the sudden declaration for a second XIMB campus at Rourkela by Patnaik on Wednesday has saved the BJD here. While simply welcoming the steps, the opposition parties have preferred to keep themselves away from making further comments. Political slugfest over management institution apart, the XIMB decision has been widely hailed by the intellectuals and students.
Smruti Mohapatra, a final year student of Government Autonomous College, Rourkela, said, “The students do not believe in political statement. They need quality institution. We are happy that in a short span of time, the State Government has moved for two premier management institutions in western Odisha, the one at Sambalpur and the other at Rourkela.”
Srimant Garg of Rourkela Municipal College said now the local students will have better opportunity to pursue management courses at their door step. It may be noted here that the Rourkela Steel Plant will extend all infrastructural support to the second XIMB campus at Rourkela.