BANA MAHOTSAB HELD AT CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF ODISHA, KORAPUT

Nishapati Nayak,Odishabarta

Koraput:Bana Mahotsab, a plantation event, was held at the Sunabeda campus of the Central University of Odisha on 31 July 2023. It was organized under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat in association with Rashtradeep Prasar Samiti, Damanjodi.

Dr Sourav Gupta, Nodal Officer, EBSB, delivered the welcome address and welcomed the dignitaries to plant saplings. The dignitaries included Prof N C Panda, Registrar (I/c), CUO, Prof Sudhendu Mandal, Advisor, Academics, CUO, Prof V C Jha, Consultant, Administration, CUO, Prof S K Palita, Dean, SBCNR, CUO and Dr Jalendra Tripathy, Secretary, Rashtradeep Prasar Samiti, Damanjodi. The plantation was carried out at the main campus of CUO by the dignitaries, officers, staff, students, faculty, and research scholars of CUO.

The plantation was followed by a formal meeting of Faculty, Research Scholars, and Staff. Prof Hemraj Meena, Guest Faculty, Dep’t of Hindi, CUO, read the message of Prof Chakradhar Tripathi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, CUO. In his inaugural message, Prof Tripathi emphasized the significance of trees in Indian cultural tradition. Prof Tripathi said that the trees like Peepul and Vat are a protector and enrich us with shelter, shadow, happiness, leaves, flowers, fruits, and wood. And most importantly, trees give us inspiration. He stressed the need for tree plantations to enhance forest resources.

Brief speeches were delivered by the dignitaries on the occasion, outlining various essential aspects of tree plantation. While Prof N C Panda explained the significance of trees in ancient Indian philosophy, Prof Mandal recalled the tree plantation by Rabindranath Tagore in Hungary in 1926 and the subsequent tradition at Shantiniketan. Prof Jha and Prof Palita discussed various scientific issues related to plantations. Dr. Jalendra Tripathy discussed the spiritual importance of tree plantation. Dr. Rudrani Mohanty, Associate Professor, Dep’t of Odia & Dr. Kakoli Banerjee, Assistant Professor, Dep’t of BCNR, sang songs on this occasion. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. B K Srinivas, HOD (I/c), Dep’t of Anthropology, on behalf of CUO, and Dr Ashok Mohanty, on behalf of RPS, Damanjodi.

The eminent people present on this occasion included Dr. Dilip Pattanaik, Deputy Registrar; Mrs. Parul Yadav, Deputy Registrar; Dr. Phagunath Bhoi, PRO; Dr. Minati Sahoo, HOD (I/c), Dep’t of Economics; Dr. P K Rath, Assistant Professor, DJMC and Dr. Debabrata Panda, Assistant Professor, DBCNR. The programme was attended by students and research scholars of CUO and members & office bearers of RPS, Damanjodi.