Demontration against shifting of IIT by Katak District BJD

A large demontration against shifting of IIT was held by Katak district BJD unit on 14th May 2007.

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India eNews: Political activists, students demand IIT for Orissa

Political activists, students demand IIT for Orissa

From correspondents in Orissa, India, 08:31 PM IST

(Also in New Kerala)

Hundreds of students and political activists Thursday demanded the central government set up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Orissa, a day after the government said it had no such plan.

Over 300 activists of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged demonstration in front of the Raj Bhaban here, the official residence of Governor Rameshwar Thakur.

Students of Rupalli Vidyapitha, a residential school in the city, also launched a signature campaign to press the demand for setting up the premier engineering institute.

Orissa does not have any institute of national repute like the IITs, Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) or Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Samir Mohanty said.

The central government had earlier promised to set up an IIT but it did not keep its promise, he alleged.

On Wednesday, Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeshwari categorically said in parliament that the central government had no plan to set up an IIT in Orissa.

The minister said this replying to call attention notices given by some Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members.

BJD and BJP MPs of Orissa had staged a protest at the main gate of the Parliament House Wednesday demanding an IIT in the state and denouncing the apathetic attitude of the HRD ministry.

'We will continue our fight against the step motherly attitude of the central government towards Orissa,' state BJP MP Jual Oram told IANS.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has described the central government's rejection of setting up an IIT in Orissa as 'unfortunate' and said BJD-BJP combine will take the issue to the streets.

Tathya.in: Intellectuals to hit street for IIT

Intellectuals to hit streets for IIT

Bhubaneswar:3/April/2007
Social activists have out smart the politicians, who have shied out to take up the cause of setting up of an IIT in Orissa.

Finally they have decided to hit the streets for the cause of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

Social activists under the auspices of Agamee Odisha, the leading social organization have announced to organize a mass rally and present a memorandum to the Governor Rameswar Thakur.

Lalit Pattnaik, Working President of Agamee Odisha said that all the members, supportive organizations and Swabhimani Odias to join the Mass rally at the Governor's House on April,8.

The demand for sanctioning an IIT in Orissa and upgrading University College of Engineering (UCE), Burla to IIEST will be harped on, said Patnaik.

The Memorandum will be sent for Prime Minister of India through Governor of Orissa.

The rally will start from AG square to Raj Bhawan on April 8, Sunday and the duration is from 8.30 am to 11 am.

Agami Odisha & Alumni UCE requests all Odia Budhijibi will express their concern over Center’s apathy on setting up of an IIT at Bhubaneswar.

The Non Resident Oriyas (NRO)s have also assured all out logistic and moral support in this regard.

It is being planned to take up demonstration in foreign countries’ Embassy and High Commission offices.

Dharana and Rally at Parliament House, New Delhi has also been scheduled on 15th May'07.

For further details contact: Lalit Pattnaik

Vice President , Agamee Odisha (M)-9338232298

Mass Rally on the IIT issue

(Message from Lalit Patnaik)

Dear friends,

Yesterday, Agamee Odisha has decided to call all it's members and supportive organisation and also each & every Swabhimani Odia to join the Mass rally to Governor's House on 8th April'07. Our demand for sanctioning an IIT in Orissa and upgrading UCE, Burla to IIEST will be handed over to Governor. The Memorandum will be sent for Priminister of India through Governor of Orissa. The rally will start from AG square to Governors House on 8th April'07( sunday) and the duration is from 8.30 am to 11 am.

Agami Odisha & Alumni UCE requests all Odia Budhijibi to assemble at AG square at around 8.30 AM on 8th April(Sunday) and express their voice of concern on such far reaching. Although NRO's can not partcipate physically but have assured all logistic and moral support.

Dharana and Rally at Parliament House, New Delhi has also been scheduled on 15th May'07.

Thanking You and assuring dedication of Agamee Odisha till the logical end,

Yours,
Truly,
Lalit Pattnaik, Working President.

Lalit Pattnaik
(M)-9338232298

Dharitri's Front Page Picture : Protest by ABVP on Shifting of IIT from Orissa

Kalinga Times: ABVP demands IIT for Orissa

(Update: Also reported in Hindu)

ABVP demands IIT for Orissa

KalingaTimes Correspondent Bhubaneswar: Orissa unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad staged a demonstration outside Raj Bhawan here on Wednesday to register their protest against the United Progressive Alliance Government's move to shift the proposed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) from the State. Angry activists of the organisation broke the police cordon and staged a sit-in outside the main gate of Raj Bhavan demanding that the Centre should set up an IIT in the State. Raising slogans against the Centre, the youths blamed the Centre for neglecting the State. In a memorandum submitted to the Centre, the ABVP demanded that the Union Human Resource Development Ministry should reconsider its decision to set an IIT in Orissa as was decided by it earlier. The organisation announced that it would intensify its agitation to highlight the demand for setting up of an IIT in Orissa if the Centre did not take any decision in favour of the State soon. A full-fledged IIT was needed for the State as it was attracting huge investments in the recent years and many companies had started process to set up industries in various sectors. Institutions such as IIT were necessary to ensure economic development in the State in the years to come, the ABVP leaders said.