Motihari (Bihar) and Kasargod (Kerala) unacceptable to MHRD as central university locations; proactive actions needed in Koraput
December 31st, 2009
Following is from a report in Indiaedunews.
Proposed Central varsities in two remote areas of the country – Bihar and Kerala have received a denial from the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry to host new Central universities for their states.
Far-flung Motihari and Kasargod in Bihar and Kerala respectively do not qualify up to the desirable standards for a site to be constructed for such universities as they lack the physical and social infrastructure to proceed.
The ministry is learnt to have asked the two states to come up with an alternative location for the set up.
The Central government clearly opposed the stand of the State governments, academics and development votaries who stood by the decision to host the new varsities in the remote areas of the country, which will boost its economy and help in creation of new and additional infrastructure.
The necessary conditions needed for the set up of a university in both Motihari nad Kasargod area are not feasible due to poor access, connectivity and lack in infrastructure in the form of good schools which are vital to attract quality faculty in the varsity.
While Kasargod, located in the northern part of Kerala suffers serious connectivity issues, Motihari in East Champaran in Bihar is considered a backward region.
The ministry felt that constructing such institutes in these areas will mar the whole criteria of establishment since they would not be able to provide quality education through qualified teachers, as they would not be interested to enter in such areas.
A similar problem has been faced by the Central University at Koraput in Orissa which is facing a serious faculty crunch in terms of quality.
Lack of adequate facilities, along with absence of good schools and hospitals are proving to be deterrents for the faculty who are unwilling to shift over to such areas.
In regards to Koraput, Orissa government needs to take some proactive steps quickly; before the problem becomes worse. Earlier we suggested the following.
- Start a daytime train between Bhubaneswar and Koraput. The distance between them is 679 kms. (Note that Koraput has daily overnight trains to Bhubaneswar and Howrah and a new daily train to Rourkela has been announced in this year’s budget.)
- Start an intercity between Visakhapatnam and Jeypore via Koraput. (Distance is 258 kms.)
- Open a knowledge park of 200 acres near the central university. This knowledge park should contain an STP, and other amenities. the state should invite trustees of some of the top private engineering colleges to establish educational institutions such as engineering colleges in this knowledge park.
In addition, the state should vigorously pursue the proposed airport in Jeypore.
Entry Filed under: Central Universities,Central University of Orissa, Koraput,Koraput-Jeypore-Sunabeda area (5)
6 Writeup
1. Prashant K Sahoo | January 1st, 2010 at 11:17 am
There is also a proposal by AAI recently to setup an airport at Koraput. This will also help. However, all these steps needs to be completed soon.
2. Abhisek | January 2nd, 2010 at 1:09 am
An intercity/Jan Shatabdi Express Train between Koraput and Bhubaneswar is needed to ensure better connectivity.
3. murthy p r v m n | January 17th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
inter city between koraput and visakhapatnam is very much needed
4. MURTHY P R V M N | January 17th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
when central university will start in vizag ?
5. Devasis Sarangi | February 1st, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Koraput to acquire global farm heritage status
The unique hilly floral and faunal diversity of Koraput, presumed as the origin of rice, will soon be designated a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), on the lines of World Heritage Site, by Unesco.
The sad part of the whole thing is that Orissa Government did nothing to get this status but a private trust M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation has asked for this status and the IPR or Patents of the study would rest with this institute which is a Chennai based Origanization. PLease refer to the FAO site for the details on this.
The agrobiodiversity recorded in the region includes:
• 340 landraces of paddy, (24 aromatic, 27 flood resistant, 2 deep water and 1 drought resistant and some others are having characters like insect/ pest resistant, puffing quality, etc.)
• 8 species of minor millets,
• 9 species of pulses,
• 5 species of oil seeds,
• 3 species of fibrous plants,
• 7 species of vegetables
The tribal groups have rich traditional knowledge about forest species too. They identify and use plants for food, fodder, firewood, medicine, etc. for their subsistence. The Jeypore area is rich in genetic resources of medicinal plants: more than 1200 medicinal plant species are available in this area. Some of the endemic medicinal plant species of the region are used for curing different diseases like gastrointestinal disorders, malaria fever, bone fracture, etc. The healing system of the Jeypore area is apart from the Indian traditional medicinal system. Bioprospecting of such precious germplasm is likely to lead to the development of new drugs.
This should give enough and good reason for a University and the IPR should be going to this kind of university in the state other than a private trust
6. Sansiddha Pani | May 2nd, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Well I am in full support of the decision of the Central Govt in this matter. The points brought up are very legitimate indeed.
I think, instead of operating the whole university in a single campus housing a large number of people, why not have the different schools of the University spread out over the state. With a central office and administration division in Bhubaneswar or may be Berhampur.
For example, I think it would be better to setup a medical college, in Bhubaneswar region, or even Berhampur region, where in a hospital attached to the college will attract all sorts of cases from different parts of the country. I dont think people would want to travel to Koraput for medical purposes.
On the other hand Koraput would be pretty suitable to set up and engineering school, which does not need to depend on anything outside the campus significantly.
If a law school would be opened, it would be logical to open it in Cuttack, so as to be in proximity to the High Court.
An airport in Koraput region is completely illogical, and pointless wastage of public money. For Koraput region, the roads to both Vizianagaram and Vishakapatnam should be improved quickly. Two laning of the highway in the region is progressing, which will help a great deal in cutting short travel times. SImilarly the state highways between berhampur and Koraput region, should also be improved so as to help connectivity without leaving the state.