Arjun Singh's speech to state HRD ministers

AN EDUCATED SKILLED, HEALTHY EMPOWERED PEOPLE ARE AN ASSET -ARJUN SINGH TWO-DAY CONFERENCE OF STATE EDUCATION MINISTERS INAUGURATED
	12:10 IST

Shri Arjun Singh, Human Resource Development Minister has said that an educated skilled, healthy empowered people are an asset and the challenge before us is to ensure that each and every citizen of India is an asset. Shri Singh was inaugurating the Conference of State Education Minister here today. Ministry of HRD has convened a two-day conference of State Education Ministers (April 10-11) in New Delhi. The conference will deliberate on issues concerning the entire gamut of education such as elementary, secondary, higher and technical education so that maximum possible progress can be achieved during the XIth Plan in the education sector in terms of access, equity, quality and efficiency.

The recent initiatives of the Central Government for the XI Plan such as the extension of Mid-Day Meal Scheme to the upper primary stage and increasing the Central Plan outlay for Secondary Education, bulk of which will go as assistance to State Governments are some of the areas where Centre would look forward to the feedback from the States.

Following is the full text of the speech:

“I am delighted to welcome you all to this Conference. We had organised a Conference of State Ministers of Higher Education in Bangalore in January 2005 and had also met at meetings of the CABE, in the same year. Today we are meeting at the commencement of the XIth Plan, and the main objective is to jointly take stock and to plan ahead so that we achieve maximum possible progress during the XIth Plan in the education sector in terms of access, equity, quality and efficiency.

2. Our Prime Minister has recently stated, “For too long we have viewed the size of our population as an economic and social liability. However, an educated skilled, healthy empowered people are an asset. The challenge before us is to ensure that each and every citizen of India is an asset.”

3. We live in the era of Globalization. Liberalization and privatization are held out as the keys to economic progress. However, we are clear in our mind that when more than 40% of our population is in the age group of 6-24 and when education has been identified as the most crucial element in the national developmental effort, the role of the government in providing education has necessarily to increase and not diminish.

4. Some Major Achievements

I would like to say a few words on what we have been able to achieve in the Xth Plan, especially since the assumption of office by the UPA Government.

· The Plan Budget of the HRD Ministry has been substantially raised from about Rs.7025 crores in the year 2003-04 to Rs.20745.5 crores in 2006-07 and now for the year 2007-08, in the budget, a Plan outlay of Rs.28674 crores which is an increase of 38.2% over previous year, has been proposed.

· Central assistance to States for elementary education, notably for the flagship programmes of SSA and MDM which was around Rs.4647 crores in 2003-04 has been increased massively to about Rs. 16893 crores in 2006-07.

· With the help of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid-Day Meals Scheme, as also their own schemes, States have managed to substantially reduce the number of out-of-school children at the elementary stage. Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the elementary level in 2004-05 stands at 93.5%. Infrastructure and teacher pupil ratio at the elementary level are also improving where SSA has contributed by opening 2.40 lakh schools, constructing over 98,000 classrooms and appointing 7.38 lakh teachers, all of which should hopefully have a salutary effect on quality.

· 2180 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas have been sanctioned upto March 2007, which includes 1000 new KGBVs in 2006-07. 88 % of KGBVs have been operationalised. A major national evaluation conducted this year has shown that the scheme has received ‘high priority and political attention in all States and has been launched in record tine with a clear commitment to reach out to out-of-school girls. The programme has been very well received by the community and has responded to diverse poverty situations including remote inaccessible locations.’

· The nutritional norm for the mid day meal programme was revised from 300 calories to 450 calories, 12 grams of protein and micro-nutrient supplementation. The cooking cost norm was revised to Rs 2 per child per school day with central assistance of Rs 1.80 for the states in the NE Region and Rs 1.50 for other states and UTs. In addition, keeping in view safety and hygiene norms, central assistance was provided for construction of cooking sheds and purchase/ replenishment of kitchen devices. I am happy that in the year 2006-07 we were able to provide assistance for construction of kitchen sheds in 1.94 lakh schools across the country.

· We had circulated a Model Bill on Right to Education for comments from the States. 18 States and UTs have forwarded their comments. We would be happy to receive the views of the remaining States and UTs on the model bill.

· 17 Regional Engineering Colleges and 3 other State Colleges have been converted into National Institutes of Technology, fully funded by the Centre. A Bill to grant statutory status to NITs is now before Parliament.

· To give a boost to education and research in science, three Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research, at Pune, Kolkata and Mohali, have been sanctioned, of which the first two have already started functioning. The third one at Mohali is expected to start functioning from this academic year 2007. The UGC is also taking action to implement the recommendations of the ‘Prof. M.M.Sharma Task Force on Strengthening Basic Science Research in Universities’.

· Article 15 of the Constitution was amended by near unanimity by the Parliament in January 2006 to enable reservation for SCs, STs and other Socially and Economically Backward Classes in admission to educational institutions. To follow up on this, I had requested all Chief Ministers in January 2006 to enact State-specific legislations. According to information available with us, 6 States (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand) have so far done so while Rajasthan has issued an executive order. We would look forward to getting feedback from Hon’ble Ministers of other States in this behalf.

· As regards Central institutions, the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act has been enacted and notified in January 2007. The Hon'ble Supreme Court has in its interim order stated that it would be desirable to keep in hold the operation of this Act so far as it relates to Section 6 thereof for the OBCs. The Government is examining all legal options to resolve this issue at the earliest.

· Plan assistance to State Universities has been made into a separate budget item under UGC assistance since 2006-07. The allocation under this head in 2006-07 was Rs. 755 crores which has been raised to Rs. 1193 crores in 2007-08, which is a major jump. I would urge State Governments to work intensively with UGC to fully avail of this enhanced allocation for the development of their respective Universities and other educational institutions.

· Through Central Acts passed in 2006, the Rajiv Gandhi National University, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura University have been converted from State to Central Universities, while a new University of Sikkim is being established. With this, all States in the North East would now have a Central University each.

With a view to increasing support to women’s education, the UGC has raised the amounts available for the construction of women’s hostels from Rs. 25 lakhs to Rs. 2 crores in metro cities and Rs. 1 crore elsewhere and I am happy to state that in the last year about Rs.130 crores was spent by UGC for Women's hostels and in the current year, further impetus would be given to this item of work.

· With a view to attract talent and encourage research, UGC has announced a substantial increase in the fellowship amounts for the NET qualified PhD students from the existing Rs. 8000 per month to Rs. 12000 per month along with the existing percentage of HRA and contingencies. Further, corresponding enhancements have also been announced for the subsequent years as well as for Research Associates. Even for the Non-NET qualified candidates, the existing amounts of PhD fellowships which were introduced at the rate of Rs. 5000 per month in the year 2006 in the Central Universities, are proposed to be enhanced by almost 50%, besides increasing the coverage by including all State Universities with Potential for Excellence, all University Departments with Centres for Advanced Studies (CAS) and Special Assistance Programmes (SAP), all Departments assisted by the Fund for Infrastructure for Science & Technology (FIST) and all autonomous colleges and institutions having NAAC or NBA accreditations and having been running PhD programmes for at least the previous five years. This will be applicable from 1.4.07.

· The HRD Ministry has launched a very comprehensive learning portal called “Sakshat” in October 2006. Some details regarding this portal would be presented in the course of this Conference. “Sakshat” is a major step towards our commitment to bring education within reach of every Indian, regardless of his or her age, using the best of modern technology.

· A statutory National Commission on Minority Educational Institutions has been established, which is also empowered to adjudicate on complaints relating to denial of minority status to educational institutions.

· A Committee headed by my colleague, Sri M.A.A.Fatmi has given its recommendations for giving a boost to Minority Education in the light of the Sachar Committee Report. These recommendations are under consideration.

5. Major Initiatives for 2007-08 and the XI th Plan

As you are aware the National Development Council has considered the Approach Paper to the XI Five Year Plan and the consequential exercise to formulate the XI Plan is currently in progress. Your inputs at this juncture will be extremely timely and useful as it will be our endeavour to factor in your valuable inputs in our XI Plan proposals. The Central Government has already taken certain initiatives and identified certain thrust areas for the XI Plan, some of which are:

· The Centrally sponsored Mid-Day Meal Scheme, which was so far limited to children of the Primary stage, is being extended to the Upper Primary Stage in educationally backward blocks, with suitably modified nutritional and funding norms.

· For the first time in decades we have received significant funding for Teacher Education. The Teacher Education outlays have been enhanced from Rs 180 crores in 2006-07 to Rs 500 crores for 2007-08. We hope that we will be able to provide support to the states for opening DIETs or DRCs in districts that do not have them. We also hope to be able to inspire you to initiate systematic and relevant training programmes to address the problem of untrained and para teachers in the country. The XIth Plan will, indeed, be a Quality Plan. Content specific training for teachers, especially at the secondary stage and training for educational administrators to address systemic problems will consequently be the thrust area for the XIth Plan period.

· Central Plan outlay for Secondary Education has been increased in a big way from Rs. 1,087 crores in 2006-07 to Rs. 3,164 crores in 2007-08. The bulk of this will go as assistance to State Governments to universalize access to, and improve quality of secondary education. I had requested Chief Ministers to take preparatory steps in this regard, and would look forward to your feedback on consequential action being taken.

· In view of the fact that existing intake capacity in polytechnics is only about 3 lakhs which is about half of that in engineering colleges, a scheme is proposed, though polytechnic education is primarily a State subject, for establishing polytechnics in districts which have no polytechnic at present as well as to strengthen the infrastructure of polytechnics in special identified districts. The Community Polytechnic scheme is proposed to be revamped during the XI Plan and your valuable inputs in this regard, would go a long way in coming out with a very meaningful scheme.

· It is proposed to establish two more Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (at Thiruvananthapuram and Bhopal) and 3 new IITs (in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan). A seventh IIM is being established at Shillong. 2 new Schools of Planning and Architecture are also proposed to be started at Vijayawada and Bhopal. A new IIIT (Design and Manufacturing) will be established at Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. Establishment of another 20 IIITs is also under consideration so as to cover all major States, with preference being given to States not having an IIIT at present. Planning Commission has suggested that this may be done in the Public-Private Participation mode. While stating the above, I am painfully aware of the fact that all States wish to have an IIT/IIM/IIIT/IISER etc., but it may be appreciated that it can be got done in a phased manner only depending on the availability of resources. We have to also ensure that the Quality and Brand of our institutions of excellence do not get compromised in our anxiety to increase the number of such institutions.

· We have also decided, in principle, to provide assistance towards upgradation of 5 Engineering Colleges to the level of an IIT, and name them as Indian Institutes of Science and Engineering Technology, subject to the concurrence of the concerned State Governments to hand them over to Central Government for declaring them as Institutes of National Importance.

· We have concentrated on expansion in Technical education given its scope and relevance for our youth. I am glad to announce that AICTE has decided to permit 10% increase in the existing intake on a voluntary basis subject to the condition that the increased number of seats would be awarded in the ratio of 2:3:1 to meritorious women, economically weaker sections and differently abled students without charging any tuition fees.

· The quality of higher and technical education would be considerably enhanced if all our institutions of higher learning get networked. The Ministry would consider providing some assistance to State Governments towards non-recurring costs of networking their institutions provided States prepare good, viable plans in this behalf, and agree to bear all other costs. I would also like all the States to direct the institutions under their control to provide high speed internet facilities to all their faculty members which will go a long way in updating the knowledge of their faculty leading to enhanced quality of teaching.

· Pursuant to the consensus evolved in the Conference of State Ministers of Higher Education at Bangalore in January 2005, our draft Bill to regulate foreign education providers is ready. We hope to introduce the Bill in Parliament very soon. We also hope to finalize and introduce the Distance Education Council Bill soon.

6. Some Major Issues for discussion

There are, of course, several major issues which need to be continuously discussed between Central and State Governments. I would however like to flag a few important ones for consideration in this Conference.

· Despite our various achievements and the increased financial outlays, we are still quite some distance away from the goal of every child completing eight years of good quality education. What should we now do to accomplish the goal of Universal Elementary Education (UEE) by the end of the XIth Plan? Specifically, how, towards this end do we optimize resource use, improve implementation of SSA and MDM, motivate and train teachers adequately, improve attendance rates and make elementary education truly child-centred?

· Surveys of attainment levels of our school-children do not give much cause for satisfaction. How do we improve achievement levels of children in elementary and secondary schools, especially state funded ones?

· CABE had approved the National Curriculum Framework formulated by NCERT in September 2005. Since then NCERT has formulated syllabi and developed new textbooks for use by the CBSE schools. The challenge is for States and UTs to begin the process of curricular reform. I would be happy for feedback on how States and UTs are meeting this challenge.

· What action is being taken by States to meet their enhanced share under SSA in the XIth Plan?

· Though much has been achieved, many States such as West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, MP, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Orissa and Bihar, still need to open large numbers of upper primary schools so as to provide adequate access. What steps are these States taking in this regard?

· A target of increasing the literacy rate to 85% by the end of the 11th plan has been set. The gender gap in literacy is aimed to be lowered to 10 percentage points. This would in effect mean a target for male literacy of 90% and of 80% for female literacy. The 35+ age group will be the focus of adult education activities in the XIth Plan. The use of ICT for literacy has been emphasized. The schemes of ` Literacy Campaigns and Operation Restoration’ and `Continuing Education’ have been merged and renamed `Adult Education and Skill Development.’ Skill development is also the focus of the schemes for Grants in aid to NGOs and Jan Shikshan Sansthans now merged and renamed as ` Support to NGOs/
Institutions/ SRCs for Adult Education and Skill Development.’ The NLM in its revamped strategy for the 11th plan has focused on literacy linked with Livelihoods Governance and Rights. There is need for renewed emphasis on adult education if our literacy targets are to be met.

· What steps should be taken to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio for higher and technical education from the present about 10% to at least 15% by the end of the XIth Plan?

· Despite increased outlays, we are still quite far from the goal of spending 6% of GDP on education, which has been reiterated in the Approach paper to the XIth Plan. How best can this responsibility be equitably shared between the Centre and the States?

· How do we improve quality of higher education, especially in State-funded colleges and Universities? I understand that more than one third of teaching posts in State Universities are vacant. In many States, this is, perhaps, due to a ban on fresh recruitment, which needs to be urgently reviewed. The UGC, on its part, has tried to facilitate your filling up of the vacancies by waiving NET qualification for PhD candidates for teaching at post graduate level and for M.Phil candidates at the undergraduate level. We have recently decided to raise the retirement age for teachers in Central higher educational institutions from 62 to 65 years. States may wish to consider following suit, to address faculty shortage.

· State Universities need to consider educational reforms by introducing the semester and credit systems, and adopting/adapting UGC-approved curricula with a view to improving the quality. It may be desirable to encourage all State level educational institutions of higher learning to go for NAAC accreditation or NBA accreditation in case of technical institutions. With a view to encourage accreditation, UGC reimburses the full cost of the NAAC accreditation process.

· What further steps should be taken to bridge the existing gap in the participation and achievement rates of disadvantaged groups, notably girls, Scheduled Castes and Tribes, minorities and the differently- abled? During the next two days, we must, in my view, come up with some concrete steps to ensure that all our institutions, at every level, become compliant with the Central law to make them barrier free besides being energy efficient and environment friendly.

· In the interest of promoting Minorities’ education, I would urge States to be far more proactive in seeking central assistance under schemes of Madrasa modernization and appointment of Urdu language teachers. Special efforts will have to be made in the States to mobilise the minorities so that they avail of the educational facilities being provided by the States. Of course, in this regard, especially for encouraging minority girls, States are requested to have more women teachers, create more hostel facilities for girls, create more educational institutions in the minority concentration blocks and arrange for teaching of modern subjects in Urdu medium.

· What steps should be taken in the field of vocational education, polytechnic education and higher and technical education so that we produce adequate employable manpower with high degree of relevant skills to meet the needs of our growing economy and to provide suitable avenues of gainful employment to our youth?

· One essential step towards increasing the number of skilled persons is increased State investment in polytechnic education. A recent study has shown that while 80% of all degree granting engineering institutions are in the private sector, the corresponding figure for the polytechnic sector is lower than 20%. States must both increase investment in this essential sector and also encourage private investment. It is also necessary to better utilize the existing available infrastructure in the engineering colleges and polytechnics by having additional evening courses.

· Several emerging areas in Engineering require very good knowledge in Science. The specific areas include Biotechnology, Material Science and Engineering, Electronics, Nano-technology and Polymer Science & Engineering. Good B.Sc students currently do not have opportunities to enter into these areas of technical education. To enhance their employability and to pursue research and innovation in these emerging areas. AICTE has recently approved lateral entry for B.Sc passed students in the 2^nd year of undergraduate programmes in engineering and have recommended starting of Integrated M.Tech programmes of four years duration for B.Sc students with Mathematics as one of the subjects. The admitted students will get two degrees, a B.Tech and a M.Tech together at the end of four years.

· An exercise done by us late last year revealed wide variations in availability of seats in technical education institutions per lakh population across States. I accordingly wrote to Hon’ble Chief Ministers of 12 large States, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, UP, Rajasthan, Orissa, J&K, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, in November last year to take urgent steps to rapidly augment intake in technical education in their respective States so that they catch up with the national average and their students are not deprived of the opportunities of technical education in their home states. We are still waiting for substantive responses to the above letter, and I would look forward to getting some feedback from the Hon’ble Ministers of these States on this subject during the session on Technical Education.

· How can we maximize use of ICT, including EDUSAT to widen access and improve quality of education at various stages? It is rather unfortunate that at present, the usage of EDUSAT is highly inadequate. Only 14 States have till now executed tripartite agreements with ISRO and this Ministry, for the utilization of EDUSAT. I urge the rest of the States and UTs to expeditiously sign the tripartite agreements and operationalise State-level Hubs and Sub-Hubs besides establishing Satellite Interactive Terminals (SIT) and Receive Only Terminals (ROT) in the educational institutions.

· Ministry of HRD has been implementing the INDEST-AICTE consortium since 2002-2003 with the objective to procure e-journals and other electronic resources for academic activities through a centralized subscription process, for redistribution among its members. The University Grants Commission is implementing a similar scheme, namely INFLIBNET. State Governments may kindly encourage Universities/technical institutions in their States to join these consortia. This access to copyrighted journals would give impetus to research resulting in higher number of research publications and patents, etc.

· The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has an extensive reach across the States; however this could be greatly strengthened if institutional premises could be made available to IGNOU for the setting up of study centers and other uses. Such partnerships could also lead to double-degree programmes. IGNOU would be happy to reimburse all variable costs and also will be willing to pay honoraria to those teachers who would be willing to put in extra hours of work on this account without in any way compromising with their normal work.

6. There are also some general points which feature on our agenda and to which I would like to call attention.

· We have informed State Governments that starting 1 July 2007, they must assume full responsibility for the work of authentication of educational certificates (and that we will cease to perform this function) so that their candidates do not have to travel all the way up to Delhi for this routine work. State Governments, which have not yet done so, must put all necessary systems into place before 1^st July.

· Educational statistics, which should be the basis for any sound planning, are generally in a poor shape. This needs urgent attention and we seek your cooperation in this regard and would request you to also strengthen and revamp your statistical agencies.

· We have not been able to fully utilize allocations under certain Centrally sponsored schemes due to non-receipt of requisite Utilisation Certificates (UC) from State Governments. I regret to note that even funds meant for scholarships have lapsed on this account. State Governments and their Universities and other agencies need to give special attention to timely submission of UCs.

· States may also urgently consider setting up State Councils of Higher Education. According to available information, only Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have done this so far.

7. I recognize that Hon’ble State Ministers will have a lot to say on these issues mentioned by me as also other issues of their interest. However, as we have a very heavy agenda before us, I would request them to be brief in their interventions and to stick to the issues being discussed in each session so that everyone gets a chance to speak and enrich the discussions. Hon’ble Ministers who have brought printed speeches may please get them handed over to us for distribution instead of reading them out. All such speeches will form part of the proceedings of this Conference but in the interest of time management, they may be taken as read.

8. I hope that with your cooperation and valuable inputs our deliberations will be fruitful and will help all of us to come up with a very meaningful XI Five Year Plan.”

Orissadiary's coverage of the rally

Mass rally by Agami Odisha for establishment of IIT in Orissa

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Bhubaneswar: Intellectuals, artists, students, lawyers, sports person, politicians from Orissa under the banner of Agami Odisha and held a rally outside Raj Bhavan here on Sunday demanding establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology in Orissa.

Criticising the UPA Government at the Centre for neglecting the cause of the State, they also demanded upgradation of the University College of Engineering (UCE) at Burla as an Indian Institute of Engineering, Science & Technology (IIEST). In a memorandum, the members of Agami Odisha urged President APJ Abdul Kalam to intervene in the matter to ensure development of educational and scientific infrastructure in the State.

Participating in the rally, Biju Janata Dal leader and Rajya Sabha MP Baijayanta Panda announced that Agami Odisha will organise similar rallies in different corners of the State to highlight the two demands. Among others who took part in the rally, include Lok Sabha MP from Kendrapara Archana Nayak, well-known singer Prafulla Kar and several eminent educationists and social activists. The office-bearers of Agami Odisha - D K Ray (president), Lalit Pattnaik (working president), Sudarshan Das (vice-president), Santosh Tripathy (secretary) and Supriti Mishra (treasurer) - were present.

Agami Odisha has decided to organise a similar rally in New Delhi later this month to highlight the demands for establishment of IIT in Orissa.

Pragativadi: Rally for promised IITs

Rally for promised IITs
Bhubaneswar: Voicing their demand for setting up an IIT and IIST for Orissa, the city denizens comprising academicians, social activists, scientists, lawyers and a few politicians and students on Sunday took out a protest rally in the city.

The rally, organized by Agamee Odisha, a social organization, later marched towards Raj Bhawan raising slogans and carrying placards demanding the establishment of these institutions in the state. They came down heavily on the centre for betraying the people of Orissa by promising an IIT and then backing out.

They pledged protest from all levels including the Parliament. BJD Rajya Sabha member Baijayant Panda who was one of the protestors said that the MPs would stage a dharna in front of Parliament on May 15. Stating while the Centre has sanctioned Rs 4,000 crore for an IIT each for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajsthan, Panda said that although the Union minister of state minister for HRD M Fatmi had assured the Orissa government on August 28 last year, the assurance has remained on paper and the Centre in this process has duped the state.

Santosh Tripathy's impression on the rally

Dear friends,

Warm greetings from Agamee Odisha and congratulations for making the intellectuals' rally yesterday a grand success.

8th April 2007 will be remembered as a historic day for each Oriya because 500 intellectuals and students walked on the street from AG Square to Raj Bhavan to demand for a new IIT in Orissa and upgrading University Engineering College, Burla to Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology (IIEST).

Agamee Odisha invited all Oriyas acros parties/associations, intellectuals, students, teachers, professionals and others to join the rally. As one of the organizers I am overwhelmed with the participation. Two prominent MPs Mr. Baijayant Panda and Ms. Archana Nayak walked in the rally all through
with us. Eminent personalities like Mr. Prafulla Kar, singer & columnist, Dr. Bimalendu Mohanty & Narendra Mishra, ex-Vice-Chancellors of Utkal University of Culture, Dr. Bhagaban Prakash, ex-adviser, UNDP, Er. Ashok Rath, ex-executive Director, NALCO, Er. Nandanandan Das, ex-Chief Engineer, Mr. Nadia Chand Kanungo,noted environmentalist, Professor P.K. Sarkar, Dr D.R. Pattnaik, Dr. S. Jally, Dr. A. Behera, Dr. M. K. Sadhual & Dr. M. S. Dash of Utkal University, Dr.S. K. Mohanty, Dr. S. K. Uttaray, Dr. B. Parasar & Dr. S. S. Mohapatra of Orissa University of Ag. & Technology, Dr. Gopabandhu Mohanty & Dr. K. Mohanty of Utkal University of Culture, Mr. Ajit Dash & his lawyer friends, Dr. Amiya Mohanty of All India Federation of University & College Teachers' Associations, Prasant Samantray, Prasant Rout, Rana Pratap Patra, Santosh Bej, Sunil Sarangi, Santamati Dash & Rashmi Ranjan Sahoo, the student leaders & 70 students of Utkal University, Er. Ashes Padhi, Secy. UCE Alumni Association, Er, SSS Panda, Er. Jagannath Mohanty & 20 members of UCE alumni Association, nearly 80 students of UCE, Burla, Mr. Prasant Paikray, social activist, Budhia Singh, the child marathon runner & 15 others from his school, 10 teachers from private engineering & management colleges along with others participated in the said rally.

On behalf of Agamee Odisha, Sj. Dhirendra Kumar Ray, Er. Lalit Mohan Pattnaik, Mrs. Kasturi Mohapatra, Er. Ajay Pattnaik, Mr. Madhusudan Das, Mr. Gadadhar Pradhan, Mr. Gauranga Mohapatra, Dr. Namita Pattnaik, Mrs. Supriti Mishra, Dr. Ambika Nanda and Student friends organized the rally.

The rally was started at 9.00A.M. and reached Raj Bhaban at 10.00 A. M. An eight member delegation led by Sj. D. K. Ray, President Agamee Odisha went to submit the memorandum.

The success of the rally is due to the coordinated efforts of those who believe in unity and dedication for the cause of Orissa. All the print media and electronic media also deserve our special thanks as they participated actively.

Agamee Odisha has plans to organize rallies at district headquarters in the third week and a Students' Convention in the first week of May. It will organize a Dharna on the Parliament Street on 15th May.

Again we appeal the people of Orissa to be united for the cause of the state and to make a better Orissa possible.

Santosh Tripathy
Agamee Odisha

New Indian Express: Citizens take to streets, demand IIT for State

Citizens take to streets, demand IIT for State
Monday April 9 2007 10:31 IST

BHUBANESWAR: Jolted by the Centre's move to deny Orissa an IIT, hundreds of people from various walks of life on Sunday took out a rally here protesting the decision. They submitted a memorandum to President APJ Abdul Kalam. It was organised by Agami Odisha, an apolitical platform of eminent scientists, educationists and social activists.

The Centre's move has not only saddened the people but has also robbed the State of its rightful claim, rued working president of the forum Lalit Pattnaik.

The Government had stated its intention to set up the next set of IITs in backward States and had picked Orissa as one of the prospective places. But it went back on its promise and instead gifted an IIT to Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan, however, got their due share, he remarked.

The decision not only created uproar in the State, but also created fear among the people that other schemes like upgrading UCE Burla into Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology might never be realised.

While the Chief Minister shot off a protest letter to the Centre against the decision, many were surprised over its meek response in the following days.

Today when the Centre has sanctioned Rs 400 crore for the new IITs, Pattnaik said, Orissa should build up a mass movement to extract its claim.

We would transform this by creating awareness among the people in every nook and corner of the State, he said.

Sunday's rally coincided with the IIT entrance examination.

Across the country some 2.5 lakh appeared for the test, being held for the first time under the revised format.

odisha.com (in Oriya) on the rally

Lalit Patnaik's impression on the rally

Sudersan Das third from the left.




MP Baijayanta Panda holding the banner from the right.










Budhia singh leading the rally.





















BC Praharaj,Ashok Rath,SK Mohanty,Nadia Kanungo,Lalit Pattnaik,Prafulla Kar,Baijayant Panda,Nandanandan Das,DKRay


















MP Archana Nayak and Singer Prafulla Kar.










The rally was a grand success, because it has really evoked very positive response among BUDHIJIBI and Students. The Budhijibi assembled just in time i.e. 8.30 a.m sharp . The rally progressed by 9 a.m. Can you believe the punctuality of Budhijibi in Odisha.

But it happened( Not a political rally). Around 200 to 250 Budhijibi were present during the start and procession reached Governor's house by 9.30 a.m. by then there were around 400 people. The Police officer said the appointment was at 11 a.m. and why you are early.

A meeting was conducted and people addresed and were introduced to different personalities and each other. TV interview took place. The youth were allowed to speak more. The Memorandum was handed over to Secy to Governor as he could not return from Andhra but however another
meeting promised

The purpose has been achieved. OTV and national NDTV have already covered our IIT demand in it's prime broadcast at 8 p.m. Let
us hope best from the print media tomorrow. You will be able to know from the print media in detail. Please find some pic. attached.

Yours,
Lalit pattnaik

Media images from the IIT rally

From kalingatimes.com (MP Baijayanta Panda in front of the mike and Singer Prafulla Kar watchinh him from close quarters)

From Tathya.in (Budhia Singh on the right holding the plackard)

Hindustan Times: Child prodigy Budhia rallies for IIT in Orissa

Himansu S Sahoo

Bhubaneswar, April 08, 2007

Child prodigy Budhia Singh was seen in a new avatar on Sunday. The five-year-old wonder kid led the protest march organised by a group of civil society organisations and MPs over the shifting of a greenfield IIT from Orissa to Andhra Pradesh. Holding a placard and using his lung powers to the maximum, Budhia emerged as the latest icon to hold several disparate groups together. He appeared to be well conversant with the IIT issue also.

Budhia told HT, "Being one of the poorest states of India so far as the infrastructure in higher education is concerned, Orissa should get the priority in the establishment of an IIT. As the IIT would be of great use for our future, many more children of my age should also come forward and join hands for the demand."

Earlier, on certain public campaigns against AIDS, Dowry Tortures and on issues of Child Labour, Budhia had taken to the streets of Bhubaneswar participating in rallies and demonstrations. But he got a chance to rub shoulders with some important MPs and Oriya cine stars for the first time.

Rajya Sabha member Baijayant Panda and Lok Sabha member Archana Nayak, eminent Oriya cinestars and singers like Prafulla Kar and a number of other personalities from different fields participated in the protest march. A delegation of the protestors submitted a memorandum to President APJ Abdul Kalam through Orissa Governor Rameshwar Thakur to immediately intervene and ensure development of educational and scientific infrastructure in Orissa. A demand was also made to upgrade the University College of Engineering (UCE) at Burla to an Indian Institute of Engineering, Science & Technology (IIEST).

DK Ray, president of Aagami Odisha, an NGO which organized Sunday's protests, criticized the UPA government at Centre for "neglecting the development of Orissa" and said, the move to ignore the state's demand would be strongly protested by a social coalition formed by the organization, comprising eminent personalities in all fields.

Later this month Aagami Odisha would organize a rally in New Delhi over the IIT demand, in which Budhia Singh may take part along with other personalities, Ray informed.

Statesman: Rally for promised IITs

Rally for promised IITs

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, April 8: It was not a massive rally by political party congregation standards. But for once, the numbers did not matter, it was the members who mattered the most and they were eminent personalities from all walks of life ~ academicians, social activists, scientists, lawyers and a few politicians. They were all demanding an IIT and an IIST for Orissa.

Students had also joined the rally which marched towards Raj Bhavan square raising slogans and carrying placards demanding the establishment of these institutions in the state. They alleged that the centre had betrayed the people of Orissa by promising an IIT and then backing out.

They pledged protest from all levels including the Parliament. BJD MP Mr BJ Panda said MPs will stage a dharna in front of Parliament on 15 May. An IIT each for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajsthan had been sanctioned with an investment of Rs 4,000 crore. Orissa, although was promised two IITs by central minister for HRD Mr M Fatmi on 28 August 2006 at Patna, has been duped, they said. The protestors demanded the establishment of an IIT and Improvement of UCE, Burla to IIEST. “Agamee Odisha” , a social organisation had taken the lead in organising the protest and mobilising support.

Tathya.in: ‘Chacha Kalam’ plz listen

Bhubaneswar:8/April/2007

Like any other children in the country child prodigy Budhia Singh has great faith on the President A P J Abdul Kalam.

So on Sunday morning Budhia leaving his daily marathon practice marched to Raj Bhawan to send his missive to his beloved ‘Chacha Kalam’ for a noble cause.

And he has all faith on 'Chacha Prez', said Budhia.

He joined the elite bandwagon of Orissa to seek indulgence of the President of India to use his good offices for the cause of educational and scientific infrastructure of the state.

A five year old slogan shouting Budhia with a placard in his hand demanding an IIT for the state was the star attraction of the Agami Odisha rally, which was organized to draw attention of the callous central leadership.

In a memorandum presented to the Raj Bhawan officials in absence of the Governor, intelligentsias of the state demanded establishment of an IIT in Orissa and up grading UCE Burla to the status of Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology (IIEST).

Agami Odisha, an apolitical platform of eminent scientists, educationists, social activists and people from various walks of life is championing the cause of the state on various developmental issues.

As establishment of an IIT has become an emotive issue for the people of the state, the leading civil society organization took the lead in generating public opinion for a reasonable cause.

While BJD MP Baijayant Panda joining the march criticized the callous attitude of the UPA government, play back singer Prafulla Kar sang a different tune.

Kar blamed the Members of Parliament (MP) from Orissa, who are equally dormant over raising the issue of IIT.

How ever noted environmentalist Nadia Chand Kanungo charged the Centre of “virtually looting” the state in the name of mineral development and demanded a White Paper on the export of minerals from the state during last 15 years, echoing the demand for an IIT.

While thanking the President Dr.Kalam for his initiative to set up a NISER in Orissa the assembly of intelligentsia appealed him to lend his support for an IIT and declaration of UCE, Burla as ITSER.

Announcing the next course of action Agami Odisha President Dhirendra Kumar Ray said on May 15, we will be demonstrating before the Parliament to ventilate our grievances.

Kalinga Times: Agami Odisha members demand IIT for Orissa

KalingaTimes Correspondent Bhubaneswar: A large number of people from various walks of life came under the banner of social organisation Agami Odisha and held a rally outside Raj Bhavan here on Sunday demanding establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology in Orissa. Criticising the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre

for neglecting the cause of the State, they also demanded upgradation of the University College of Engineering (UCE) at Burla as an Indian Institute of Engineering, Science & Technology (IIEST). Orissa, being one of the poorest states in terms of infrastructure in education and technology, needs establishment of an IIT more than any other state, the activists said. In a memorandum, the members of Agami Odisha urged President APJ Abdul Kalam to intervene in the matter to ensure development of educational and scientific infrastructure in the State. Mentioning that the demands for an ITT and declaration of the UCE at Burla as an IIEST were `extremely reasonable', the activists appealed to the President to lend support to the cause. Participating in the rally, Biju Janata Dal leader and Rajya Sabha MP Baijayanta Panda announced that Agami Odisha will organise similar rallies in different corners of the State to highlight the two demands. Among others who took part in the rally, include Lok Sabha MP from Kendrapara Archana Nayak, well-known singer Prafulla Kar and several eminent educationists and social activists. The office-bearers of Agami Odisha - D K Ray (president), Lalit Pattnaik (working president), Sudarshan Das (vice-president), Santosh Tripathy (secretary) and Supriti Mishra (treasurer) - were present. Agami Odisha, which has started forming a Social Force comprising those concerned for the State's development, has decided to organise a similar rally in New Delhi later this month to highlight the demands.

8th April morning 8.30 am: IIT rally message by Lalit Patnaik

ARE YOU A SWABHIMANI ODIA

One IIT each for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajsthan has been sanctioned with an investment of Rs.4000 crores. Orissa, although promised two IIT by Central Minister for HRD Mr. M Fatmi on 28th August 2006 at Patna, has been befooled with none.

* Orissa being one of the poorest states in terms of
infrastructure in education and technology needs establishment of IIT more than any other state.

* Orissa having richest Mineral deposit needs an IIT to provide knowledge and technology base for best utilization of it's resources.
* Let us not be blamed by our grand children that we
have overslept when their future was being dismissed.

1) We demand establishment of an IIT and up gradation of UCE, Burla to
IIEST in Orissa.
2) Join for Orissa in our demand on 8th April 2007
morning at 8.30 am in AG square, Bhubaneswar.

Request made by
DK Ray(President),Lalit Pattnaik(Working President), Suderson Das(Vice-President), Supriti Mishra ( Treasurer) & General secretary, Dr Santosh Tripathy of AGAMEE ODISHA.

*Intellectuals of Agamee Odisha in various field have given the "call of the
hour". Join the movement and create a Social Force of " Swabhimani Odia" for all time to come and for all issues of Orissa.

From Social, Cultural & Educational field
* Shree Prafulla Kar (Singer) &
* Padma Shree Devi Prasanna Pattnaik, Renowned linguist.
* Padma Bibhusan Trilochan Pradhan, Ex VC Utkal University
* Narendra Mishra, Ex VC,Cultural university
* Dr. Bimalendu Mohanty, Ex- VC, Culture University.
* Dr. Bijaya Mishra, Ex- Principal Ramadevi College.
* Dr Adyuta Patra, Ex-Professor OUAT.
* Dr Padmaja Mishra, Professor Utkal university.
* Kali Prasad Mishra, Chief Commissioner Scouts.
* Jagadananda, CYSD
* Dr.Kasturi Mohapatra, VP Indian council of Child welfare.
* Dr. Santosh Tripathy (Utkal University), Gen.Secy Agamee
Odisha.
* Dr. Pratap Rath, Professor Utkal University.
* Dr Ambika Nanda, Action AID.
* Dr. Namita Pattnaik, Maharshi College.
* Mrs Nibedita Scadar, Women activist.
* Dr Dipti Ranjan Pattnaik, Reader Utkal University.
* Dr Manoj Kar, Social Activist
* Mrs Supriti Mishra, Social Activist, Tresurer Agamee Odisha.
* Suderson Das, Director KIIT, VC Agamee Odisha.
* Prasant Paikray, Social activist.
* Madhusudan das, President NYP
* Nirakar Beura, Social activist.
* Gadadhar Pradhan Social activist.
* Pradeep Pradhan Social activist.
* Pradeep Nayak, Social activist.

Lawers & Doctors,
* Ajit Das, Ex-President bar council, bbsr
* Ashim Amitav Das, Secy. Bar council of Orissa.
* Natabar Mohanty, Advocate
* Dr RSS Murty, Heart specialist.
* Dr. Madhusudan Mishra, President Medical association.
* Dr. Siba Prasad Tripathy, Skin specialist

From Administrative Field
* Shree Dhiren Kumar Ray, Ex DG(IT) & Chairman ( OERC), President
Agamee Odisha.
* Sudhansu Bhusan Mishra, Ex Chief Secy.
* Sahadeb Sahu, Ex Chief Secy.
* Jatish Chandra Mohanty, Ex- Principal Secy (AP)
* Nadia Bihari Kanungo, Ex- Conservator of Forest.
Engineers & Industrialist
* Nandanadan Das, Ex Secy. Works
* Sangram mishra, Ex-Director NALCO
* Ashok Rath, Ex-executive Director NALCO
* BC Praharaaj, Ex- Chief engineer.
* Bibhuti Mohanty, Ex- President Vani Vihar & Industrialist
* Lalit Mohan Pattnaik, Ex-President Off Assn.NALCO, VC Alumni
UCE, bbsr chapter, Working President Agamee Odisha.
* Ajay Pattnaik, Industrialist.
* Bimal Mishra, Industrialist.
* Ashesh Padhi, General Secy Alumni UCE, Burla.
* Satya siva sunder Panda, Secy Alumni UCE, , bbsr chapter
* Jagannath Mohanty, Secy Alumni UCE, bbsr chapter.
*Prabodh Mishra, Tresurer Alumni UCE,bbsr chapter
* Sury Rath, Ex-R&D engineer & secretary NYP.
* Baidyanath, Ex-engineer MNC & Social activist.
* PK Dalbehera.

National & State Political Leaders
* Sibaji Pattnaik, Ex-MP.
* Archana Nayak, MP.
* Dharmendra Pradhan, MP.
* Baijayant Panda, MP.
* Rudranarayan Pani, MP.
* Mohan Jena, MP.
* Kharavela Swain, MP.
* Arun Sahu, MLA.
* Raja Swain, MLA.
* Atanu Sabysachi, MLA
* Priyadarshi Mishra.

Student Leaders
* Devi Prasad Parija.
* Amiya Pandav
* Pranab Prakash Sahu, Ex-President Vani Vihar.
* Prasanta samantray.
* Manaranjan Mohapatra.
* Tejeswar Parida.
* Srimanta Mohapatra.
* Smruti sagar Mohanty.
* Bibhuti Bhusan Nayak.
* Bibhuti Bhusan Mandal.
* Sudhir kumar swain
* Sanjay kumar malik
* Ranjan kumar mohanty
* Biswapratap mallick
* Rajakishor soren
* Purusottam pradhan

Note:- The names are many but we have not been able to write all names due to shortage of time and space. Please forget and forgive for any unknown mistakes.

Lalit Pattnaik
(M)-9338232298

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

Pragativadi: CM to meet PM on the IIT issue (and other issues) on April 19th.

Navin to meet PM
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Navin Patnaik is scheduled to meet prime minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on April 19.
Patnaik, during his tour to the national capital, would discuss a host of issues with Singh pertaining to the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Bidyutkaran Yojana, hike in coal royalty and establishment of IIT in the state.
The appointment of the chief minister with Singh has been finalized, official sources said here on Tuesday.

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

Modi raises IIT issue with respect to Gujarat

Modi takes on Centre over Mallika, IIT issues
Santanu Banerjee | New Delhi

Gujarat CM says Plan panel 'becoming a political body'

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Monday criticised the Centre and the Planning Commission for sponsoring a controversial Rs 10 crore TV serial project by Mallika Sarabhai and denying his State an IIT.

During his meeting with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Modi, according to officials from Gujarat, told him that these instances showed that an apolitical body like the Planning Commission was becoming a political body.

Modi told Ahluwalia that the serial on women empowerment was done without taking the State into confidence when the issue was a State subject.

Incidentally, the controversial TV serial was given to Sarabhai without following a proper procedure of calling tenders from other producers. Gujarat Government sources said the TV project was terminated as the move by the Centre, the Planning Commission and the Prasar Bharti faced stiff resistance from the State Government.

But the project was revived by pressure from 10 Janpath, State Government sources said. The controversial and the huge-budget project now revived involved producing year-long Gujarat-centric serials on women and social issues for Doordarshan. The first episode of the serial was telecast by Ahmedabad DD last month.

However, Planning Commission member Bhal Chander Mungekar told The Pioneer that ``the Gujarat Chief Minister, however, did not mention any name, but the Deputy Chairman told him that since the Plan panel has nothing to do with it, his concerns would be conveyed to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.''

According to Government sources, Modi's allegations, which earlier also stirred up heat and dust, is set to create problems both for the project and the Centre, which bended rules to give this project to Mallika Sarabhai.

Incidentally, several producers have already approached the Gujarat High Court challenging the controversial DD's contract to Sarabhai.

Much to the embarrassment for the Human Resource Development Ministry headed by Congress leader Arjun Singh, Modi also raised the issue of his State being meted out a step-motherly treatment on educational front.

He pointed out that despite his State's high developmental indicators, Gujarat was not allowed to set up the ``extension of Mumbai IIT.''

He told the Planning Commission that when last year the issue came up for a decision and when Maharashtra Government did not take kindly to the suggestion for setting up the extension, the HRD Ministry had persuaded the Maharashtra Government to create extension in the State and denied the opportunity to Gujarat.

According to Gujarat Government officials, the State Government informed the HRD that the State was ready to provide land and other infrastructural resources for setting up an extension of IIT in Gandhinagar. "But Arjun Singh had had it stopped," said an official.

Bhal Chander Mungekar, who looks after education in the Plan panel said on this issue also the Chief Minister was assured that his concerns would be conveyed to the HRD Ministry. ``At Planning Commission we do not take such a decision,'' he said.

Angry on this issue, the Gujarat Chief Minister told Planning Commission during the meeting that if the HRD could think of big educational projects for Rae Barlei in Uttar Pradesh, why a State like Gujarat should be denied an IIT.

Meanwhile, the Plan size for the current fiscal for Gujarat was fixed at Rs 16,000 crore. This includes additional Central assistance of Rs 90 crore for projects of special importance.

Earlier, during the briefing by the Commission, Modi said that the State had achieved a growth rate of 10.6 per cent for the last four years.

He informed that from a revenue deficit of Rs 6731.54 crore in 2001-02, now the State Government has a revenue surplus of Rs 1802.85 crore in 2006-07. As such, the Fiscal Responsibility Budget Management target of eliminating revenue deficit by 2007-08 has been met two years ahead of schedule. He also informed the Commission that the revenue receipts have grown by 21.14 per cent.

IIT shift: Ruling combine takes a dig at Centre

IIT shift: Ruling combine takes a dig at Centre
The New Indian Express, Friday March 30 2007 11:35 IST

BHUBANESWAR: BJD and BJP members on Thursday came down heavily on the Centre for ignoring the State’s demands in the education sector.

Criticising the Centre for shifting the proposed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to the neighbouring state, they said political parties should start economic blockade to press for Orissa’s demands.

They also demanded that a House Committee, headed by Speaker Maheswar Mohanty, should visit New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and demand establishment of an IIT in the State.

The issue cropped up during discussion on a Calling Attention notice. Replying to the discussion, Industries Minister Biswabhusan Harichandan also criticised the Centre’s attitude.

Stating that the issue has been taken up with the Centre several times, Harichandan maintained that the State Government will continue to put pressure on the Centre for establishment of an IIT in Orissa.

The Government had also informed the Centre about availability of land for establishment of an extension counter of IIT, Kharagpur near Bhubaneswar, he said.

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Industry Minister says state will demand for an IIT to the Center: The Samaja

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Tathya.in: IIT issue rocks Orissa assembly

Bhubaneswar:30/March/2007
Letter writing obsession of Naveen Patnaik received a jolt from his BJP partner in Orissa Legislative Assembly on March 29.

The concept of sending missives to Centre on burning issues and wait for the wind fall gain did not cut ice with BJP legislator Mahesh Sahu.

On the other hand Mahesh echoed the Biju Patnaik agenda of “Economic Blockade” to bring home the point.

He said central leadership is highly insensitive and thick skinned over the ever daunting problems of Orissa.

They see everything on political lines, he alleged.

They will not respond to our needs, unless we adopt the Biju Agenda of economic barriers to put forth our demand, he added.

Mahesh was participating in a debate on a calling attention notice over Centre’s neglect on setting up IIT in Orissa.

He said with massive industrialization in offing the requirement of engineers of IIT background will be high.

Keeping this in view we must force the Centre for an IIT by adopting Economic Blockade.

BJP member Aswini Kumar Patra those days are gone when Oriyas are used to go as “Kuli and Mulia”, now we have to put forth our demand in a forceful manner not meek and mildly to get the point.

Patra suggested a House Committee be formed under the chairmanship of the speaker and a delegation may visit New Delhi to press the IIT issue.

Industries minister B B Harichandan replying the debate said that the state government has once again brought to the notice of the Centre on setting up of a IIT for which a land of 300 acre has been identified which will be provided free of cost.

He said since 2003 the government is in constant touch with the Centre through letters and recently Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written letter to Prime Minister Dr.Man Moahn Singh objecting the decision of the Centre to shift the proposed IIT of Orissa to Andhra Pradesh.

Minister informed the House that the state government was sure of the IIT project as minister of state (MOS) of HRD M A Fatmi has assured through an announcement but it came as a shock when media highlighted about the shifting of the institution to the other state.

IIT issue raised by Orissa MPs in the parliament

Dharitri (page1, page 2, page 3, page4, page5, page6, page7) has a nice summary of the various issues raised by Orissa's MPs in the just concluded first phase of the budget session of the parliament. It shows that various MPs raised the IIT in Orissa issue and MHRD's discrimination against Orissa. In particular:

• BJD and BJP MPs gave a notice in the Lok Sabha on this issue, and received acknowledgement from the speaker, but it did not get a chance to be included in the Lok Sabha proceedings. (page1) We hope that they insist that it gets included in the second phase of the parliament session.
• Lok Sabha: MP Mr. Swain raised the IIT issue. (page2)
  
• Lok Sabha: MP Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan raised the IIT issue as well as how MHRD spends much lower in Orissa than in other places. (page3)
• Lok Sabha: MP Ms. Archana Nayak raised the IIT issue. (page6)
  
• Rajya Sabha: MP Mr. Pyarimohan Patnaik raised the IIT issue. (page2)
• Rajya Sabha: MP Mr. Rudranarayan Pani raised the IIT issue. (page 7)
  

However none of the above was in an impactful manner like last year. We hope that in the second phase of the budget session, which starts on April 26th, the Orissa MPs will raise it in a more vocal and more impactful manner.

IITs IN THE COUNTRY: PIB

Rajya Sabha
The number of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in the country, state-wise are as under:-

Sl.No. Name of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) State/UT

1. Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay Maharashtra

2. Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi Delhi

3. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur Uttar Pradesh

4. Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur West Bengal

5. Indian Institute of Technology, Madras Tamil Nadu

6. Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati Assam

7. Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee Uttrakhand


A Committee has been constituted to set up new IITs in the country. The Committee while finally short-listing the seven Institutions/Universities for the purpose, observed that all identified Institutions fall far below the level of the existing IITs in all criteria used for the short listing. The Committee was, therefore, of the view that in the light of the substantial gap between the selected Institutions and IITs, it would not be correct to position these Institutions straightway alongside the IITs. The Committee suggested that the selected Institutions should be described as Institutions possessing the best potential among the Engineering and Technology Colleges in the country for upgradation to the level of IITs. In order to start the upgradation process Rs. 61.00 crores have been allocated to these seven Institutions during 2006-07.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Human Resource Development Smt. D. Purandeswari in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today (i.e March 19, 2007)

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BJD-BJP plan to take up IIT issue in the Orissa assembly

BJD-BJP set to take on Opp in House

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, March 20: The ruling BJD-BJP combine decided to adopt an aggressive anti-Centre posture during the budget session of the Assembly beginning tomorrow. Issues relating to shifting of the proposed IIT, miserly allocations for rural electrification, restoration of flood damage and the price rise will be taken up in the House.

The combine, which met here this evening to discuss the strategies of taking on the Opposition, will fully back Speaker Mr Maheswar Mohanty in the event of any no-trust motion being tabled by the Opposition.
“We will face it,” said chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik when asked about the move of the Opposition to impeach Mr Mohanty. He, however, hoped that the Opposition would play a constructive role and debate on issues.
Apparently, the combine has sensed that the Opposition’s attack should be countered by slamming the UPA government’s alleged neglect towards state. Though issues of Central neglect and price rise had been raised and discussed in the last session, an encore is likely.
The Congress legislature party meeting was on till late evening. Reliable sources said that besides the Maheswar Mohanty matter, other aspects that will be brought up are the alleged misuse of official machinery during panchayat elections and law-and-order failure.

Making their intentions clear, the Opposition had called on Governor Rameshwar Thakur yesterday and requested him not to share the podium with Mr Mohanty while delivering his customary address to the House tomorrow.

Interestingly, neither side had budgetary allocations or economic issues on top of their agenda today despite the fact that it is to be a session where the finance minister is to place a vote on account for four months.

IIT Movement- Citizen's Convention: First Step of Public Action

Dear All

As the first step of the movement for IIT/IIEST in Orissa, a Citizen's
Convention has been organised on 18th March at Utkal University with
participation from cross sections of people. The participants,while supporting the demand, reaffirmed their faith and extended solidarity on Agami Odisha's plan of action for building people' movement to achieve the demand. You may find a brief report on this from the write-up of Sri Dhiren Ku Ray which is placed below.

The Convention approved the plan of action of Agami Odisha in unleashing the movement which are as follow-

1) Intellectuals Rally and submitting the memorandum to PM/President of India through the Hon'ble Governor, Orissa. The date will be finalised looking at the availability of the Governor.

2) Sudents convention will be organised with representations from
college/University student's Unions and Student Organisations. The date will be announced shortly.

3) Torch Light procession will be organised during the Assembly Session on a date convenient to participants, mainly students.

4) MLAs /Speaker of the Assembly/Leader of the Opposition/Chief Minister will be approached with the memorandum on the demand with request to come up with an all party resolution in the floor of the Assembly in favour of the demand.

5) There will be district processes to build up the public opinion and action
in favour of the movement.

6) All these public actions will be culminated in a rally and dharana at Delhi during the Session of the Parliament.

The above action points form the first phase of the movement and
learnings/experiences from the first phase will determine the course of action for the second phase of the movement.

NB-It is worth mentioning here,that a group of 10 people, 7 women, came from Kandhamal district to participate in the convention. While expressing their solidarity to IIT movement of Agami Odisha, the delegates requested Agami Odisha to support and facilitate their movement on various demands of the people of Kandhamala, which they are doing under the banner of Kandhamala Bikash Parishad.

Sudarsan Das

agami Orissa convention on March 18th

Agami Odisha Convention on establishment of IIT and IIM

A Peoples Convention organized by Agami Odisha on 18th March in the Political Science Lecture Theater of Utkal University. It was remarkable in reflecting total unanimity of views of wide cross section of the civil society in joining and in extending support to the Movement for establishment of IIT, IIM and other institutes of higher learning in Orissa by the Central Government.

At the outset , Sudarshan spoke about plan,program and perspectve of Agami Odisha and Santosh Tripathy read over the proposed Plan of Acton.

In addition to the focused issue of the day, the Convention reflected a
groundswell of opinion for movement on flagrant and persistent discrimination against Orissa in decisions of the Central Government on economic and social development issues. The issues highlighted in Appeal for Convention issued under signature of 45 intellectuals and social acivists were discussed in the background of a base paper circulated by Santosh Tripathy on behalf of Agami Odisha. The range of emotions for furthering economic and social development of Orissa varied from impassioned plea based on cold logic to oration of nationalistic fervour spitting fire..Those who spoke included Panchanan Kanungo,
Baijayanta Panda, Jagadananda, Sahadeb Sahoo, Jatish Chandra Mohanty,
Chandraprava Pattanayak, Prativa Das, Madhusudan Dash, Adwaita Charan Hota, Anita Ray, Prasanta Paikray,Sangram Mishra,Namita Das, Pranab Prakash Sahu, Ajit Das , Subash Das, Kasturi Mohapatra, and Dhiren Roy.

Program of Action red over by Santosh Tritathy was endorsed by all. It was
assured on behalf of AO to progressively take up other issues responsible for the ennui pervading the state,the abysmal inefficiency in the Government and the ignominious state of socio economic development.

Agami Odisha pledges to be an unremitting catalytic agent for the progresss and all round development of Orissans . To all those who attended the Convention and those who did not attend we implore all to join the bandwagon. Do join the various phases of activity as per the Program of Action.

Dhirendra K Roy
For and On behalf Of Agami Odisha

March 18 Convention photos

Full gallery













Left side of the audience













MP Baijayanta Panda addressing













Working President Lalit Patnaik and President Dhiren Ray











Panchanan Kanungo addressing










(photos: courtsey Orissa Today network)

Sambada and Odisha.com on Agami Orissa March 18 convention (in Oriya)

Sambada and Odisha.com covered this.

Hindu: Intellectuals plead for premier institutions

Intellectuals plead for premier institutions

Staff Reporter

To build up a movement by mobilising support

# Preparatory meeting held with students, teachers
# Mass demonstration in front of Parliament planned

BHUBANESWAR: A group of intellectuals, students and university teachers decided to build up a movement, seeking establishment of greenfield Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Management and a central university in Orissa.

A preparatory meeting convened on the campus of Utkal University here on Sunday chalked out strategy to raise the issue in different fora.

`Gross injustice'

"The Union Government announced to set up three IITs with an investment of Rs. 4,000 crores in three States. But the name of Orissa is missing in the list. This is gross injustice to a poorer State like Orissa," general secretary of Agaami Orissa Santosh Tripathy said.

The forum would mobilise support from legislators, Parliamentarians, students of every college and professionals working in different fields to give it a shape of a movement in the coming two months.

The group plans to organise mass demonstration in front of Parliament by seeking participation from students studying in New Delhi, professionals and Parliamentarians in the month of April.

In the run-up to the mega dharna, a procession of intellectuals would be taken out in Bhubaneswar and it would submit a memorandum to Governor Rameshwar Thakur to apprise him about "negligence of the Centre."

They also planned to impress upon Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Leader of Opposition J.B. Patnaik and all legislators to pass a unanimous resolution in support of setting up of an IIT in the State.

Presenting a comparative figure on per capital expenditure by Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry in the country, Mr. Tripathy said: "Orissa is getting very low budgetary allocation for HRD. When the Centre spent Rs. 183.08 per head in Delhi on HRD, it was Rs. 4.07 in case of Orissa last fiscal. Other States are way ahead than us."

Call to students

Similarly, the HRD Ministry also ignored according status of Indian Institute of Science and Technology (IIST) to University College of Engineering, Burla, he said.

Speakers also called upon students to take up the issue and start movement until the central institutes were sanctioned for the State.

Kalinga Times on the March 18 intellectuals meeting on IIT and other issues

Orissa activists to question Central Government

KalingaTimes Correspondent

Bhubaneswar: A large number of social activists, academicians and politicians of Orissa on Sunday gathered came together to demand a better deal for the State from the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre.

At a meeting held at Utkal University here, the activists criticised the Centre for its alleged neglect of the State and demanded setting up of a greenfield Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), an Indian Institute of Management and a Central University in the State.

The meeting also resolved that the demands will be highlighted at a demonstration to be held in New Delhi next month. Apart from about 1000 people halining from different walks of life, the Members of Parliament from the State will also participate in the dharna.

Before the New Delhi dharna, those supporting the demands will take out a rally in Bhubaneswar and hand over a memorandum to Governor Rameshwar Thakur complaining about the Centre's neglect of the cause of Orissa.

Those who spoke at the meeting severely criticised the UPA Government for ignoring Orissa's cause while setting up of branches of various Central Government-run institutes in the Orissa.

They warned that the movement against the Centre's neglect of Orissa, particularly in the context of setting up of institutes of higher learning, will continue till the UPA government favorably considered the issues nvolved.

Sambada (Oriya) editorial: HRD minister says IIT in Orissa is still under consideration

Today's Sambada editorial also says that the HRD minister has said that the proposal for an IIT in Orissa has not been scrapped and is still under consideration. The editorial goes on to say that however it is supicious that while the 3 IITs in the other locations have been decided no decision has been made on the one in Orissa.

Dharitri (in Oriya) reports Ms Archana Nayak demands IIT for Orissa in Lok Sabha

Dhariti reports that MP Ms Archana Nayak demands greenfield IIT for Orissa in Lok Sabha.
Another good step by our MP in Lok Sabha.

Pragativadi (in Oriya): Arjun Singh says that IIT for Orissa still under consideration

Pragativadi on 3/9/2007 reports that HRD minister Mr. Arjun Singh has said that the proposal for an IIT in Orissa is still under consideration and the state government has a received a letter to that effect from Mr. Arjun Singh.

However, the headline of the Pragativadi news item "Arjun Singh assures Orissa will have an IIT" does not match with the text of the news item. Mr. Singh has only said that the proposal is still under consideration and has not been rejected. That does not mean it has been accepted. Hence, we still need to continue making our points in letters to the PM, HRD M, UPA Chairperson Mrs. Gandhi, and Orissa MPs.

(Thanks to Baijayanta babu for pointing to this news item.)

Sambada (in Oriya) : IIT issue raised in Rajya Sabha

Sambada reports (in Oriya) that MP Rudra Narayana Pani raised the issue of IIT in the Rajya Sabha. This is a good first step. We hope soon the MPs will raise it in a more impactful manner and meet the HRD ministry and the PM about it.

AICC responds to Dr. Saraju Mohanty's letter

Dear all:

AICC has responded (html version) to Dr. Saraju Mohanty's letter and it has the sentence: "We are of the opinion that the request of people of Orissa may please be acceded to for the development of the backward state."

I have no definite idea if AICC writes similar language with respect to all letters they receive or if in this particular case they agree with the letter. But I had received a letter from them during the NIS movement and that letter was more like "We received your letter and have taken note of your feelings".

So it seems letters written to AICC and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi are very useful and hard copy has the most impact.

cheers
Chitta

Three IITs for Andhra, none for Orissa

This news item has appeared in many many places. I hope the Citizens of India understand how the HRD ministry is anti-India and is trying to divide Indians by its partisan and vindictive actions. I hope the cabinet and UPA parties realize their mistake and change course at the earliest.

1. Time of India
2. Hindustan Times
3. IndiaEdunews.net
4. RxPGnews
5. Indiaenews
6. Earthtimes.org
7. Indianmuslims
8. Andhra cafe
9. Mangalorean.com
   

Three IITs for Andhra, none for Orissa: TOI

Three IITs for Andhra, none for Orissa
[ 3 Mar, 2007 1747hrs ISTIANS ]
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NEW DELHI: The central government is planning to set up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Andhra Pradesh even as it has decided to upgrade two other technical institutes in the state to IIT level.

Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh informed the Rajya Sabha this week that the Andhra Pradesh government had offered 1,000 acres of land free of cost along with civic amenities at Basara in Adilabad district if the centre agreed to its proposal to set up an IIT there.

He was answering a question by Adilabad MP Nandi Yelliah.

Arjun Singh had told Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy last year that the central government was willing to set up an IIT if the state was ready to provide 500-600 acres of land free of cost with necessary social and physical infrastructure, including good road, rail and air connectivity.

The Andhra Pradesh government was responsive to the precondition of the human resource development ministry and immediately wrote back that it is "in the process of finalising a suitable piece of land with good infrastructure facilities, for the setting up of an IIT in Andhra Pradesh".

Arjun Singh also said the Centre on the basis of the recommendations of an experts committee had identified seven institutions in the country for upgrading to IIT level. Two of these are in Andhra Pradesh - the Osmania University College of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, and the Andhra Pradesh College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam.

The upgradation process has already begun and the central government has released Rs 70 million for Osmania College and Rs 80 million for the Visakhapatnam college in the last financial year 2006-07, said Singh.

Orissa, however, has had no such luck.

Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeshwari informed the house that "the chief minister of Orissa has written to the prime minister for establishment of a Greenfield IIT in Orissa and for upgradation of the extension campus of IIT, Kharagpur, at Bhubaneswar.

"The government has decided to set up three new IITs in the states of Rajasthan, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh."

Agami Orissa's agenda for Action

Dear Friends,

Recently we at Agamee Odisha had two rounds of preparatory meetings (on 26th and 28th Feb) on IIT- movement, of intellectuals, students, professionals, activists and Representatives of mass organisations, net work organisations, NGOs etc. These two meetings were well attended and one of the remarkable features of the meetings was that many important dignitaries attended the meetings and conveyed their solidarity to the movement for IIT in Orissa. In these two meetings the agenda of the first phase of movement has been finalised which are as below-

1) On 11th of March, there will be a Citizen's Convention at Bhubaneswar
(Probably at Utkal University Auditorium, or to be finalised shortly) to which representatives of various mass organisations, Political Parties, Net Work organisations, NGOs, Student Organisations, employees organisations etc besides intellectuals, artists, academicians etc. For this 10,000 leaflets will be printed and distributed for awareness generation. A booklet will also be printed which will be the base paper for discussion in the convention. A target of mobilizing 500 participants has been fixed.

2) There will be a student convention, the date of which will be announced in the convention. All student organisations, college union leaders will be invited to this "All Orissa Students Convention".

3) A torch light procession has been planned during the Assembly Session to attract the attention of the house on the demand.

4) There will be a "March to Governor House" by intellectuals, artists,
academicians and other general public who will meet the His Excellency the Governor of Orissa through whom the memorandum to the Central Govt will be sent.

5) Effort will be taken to meet and request the MLAs, Leader of the
Opposition, Speaker of the Assembly and CM for an all party resolution in favour of the demand for IIT in Orissa.

6) MPs of Orissa will be contacted to take up the issue in Parliament.

7)Post card campaign will be undertaken at various places of the state and on a particular date these post cards will be sent to the PMO office with denad "We want IIT in Orissa".

8)The culmination of all these movements will be in the form of a mass dharana infront of Parliament in the month of April, during the second phase of the Budget Sesion of the Parliament.

This is the first phase of the movement during which there is also plan to
take it to various districts and other places like we did during the NIS
movement. A tentative budget has been finalised for this which amounts to Rs.1 lac, the detals break up will be posted later on.
We appeal to memebrs of this group and to those who are in soliderity with the demand for IIT in Orissa to come forward in favour of this movement and provide suport in terms of phisical presence during the programme, taking forward the campaign and organise different programmes relating to the movement, writting letters to appropriate authority, financially contributing to meet the expences for the programmes etc. In soliderity with movement for making "Another Orissa Possible".

Sudarsan Das

Agami Orissa's meeting on Feb 28th

Dear Friends,

On 28th Feb'07 around 25 Heads of Mass Organisation in Orissa attended the preparatory meeting for the Grand-Citizen meeting regarding IIT
and IIEST issue on 11 th March 2007. Prominent citizens of Orissa Like Shree Prafulla Kar( Top Oriya singer), Er Nadanadan das, Ex-Works secy, Sri Gopal Mohanty ( NRO), Shree Bimalendu Mohanty, an Ex Vice Chancellor, Shree Jatish Mohanty, an ex Prinicipal Secretary, Er Bimal Mishra, a prominent engineer and social worker, Shree Jagannath Chaterjee, a prominent social activist, Shree Dipti Pattnaik, a prominent Vashabit, Mrs Kasturi, an emminent social reformer, Shree Bibhuti
Mohanty, a prominent "A" Class contractor and Ex- President(1978) vani vihar, Er Jaga Panda, Sr. engineer GRIDCO, Shree Kamalakanta dash, a Senior Lawyer in High court, Er Saty Panda, Sr manager Coal India, and many more attended the preparetory meeting at our one day notice-invitation. This certainly speaks volumes of our concerned for Orissa. The most important thing is all of them left other scheduled
programmes and came dot in time at 6.30 pm. During the meeting all of them spoke and one by one pledged their full support to the movement
whole heartedly and will arrive with their supporters, friends and collegues on 11 th March Citizen meeting for the said cause.

The organizer's and mass leaders, who have missed the preparatory meeting have another opportunity to place their thought to the august
committee on 8th March'07 at Faculty club at 6.30pm. 8th march will be the last meeting before the Mega- Meeting on 11 the march.
So, we will request all of you, on behalf of AGAMI ODISHA, to attend the 8th meeting and to catch the changing wind of Orissa and have a say in
the societal work.

Wishing you all a happy Holi and after Holi we meet with more vigor and commitment.

Yours,
Truly,
Sudersan das , VicePresident,
Santosh tripathy, Gen. Secy.
Supriti Mishra, Tresurer &
Lalit Mohan Pattnaik, Working President