August 31st 2024.
During a program on self-governance day in Cuttack, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared his personal opinion on renaming one of the oldest educational institutions in Odisha - Ravenshaw University. With a history of 156 years, the university is currently named after TE Ravenshaw, a British Commissioner whose actions during a devastating famine in 1866 resulted in the loss of many Odia lives.
Pradhan believes that it is time for a change in the university's name. He expressed his concerns about the negative impact of TE Ravenshaw's actions on the people of Odisha and questioned why a prestigious university in the state should be named after a British Commissioner. He urged the intellectuals of Odisha to consider this issue and think about a more suitable name for the university.
Established in 1868 during British rule, Ravenshaw College was granted autonomous status in the 1990s and was upgraded to a unitary university in 2006. However, Pradhan believes that the name of the university should reflect the pride and values of the people of Odisha, rather than being associated with a British Commissioner who caused harm to the state and its people.
Pradhan's suggestion for a name change is not a decision that can be made lightly, but it does raise important questions about the history and identity of the university. It is a matter that requires thoughtful consideration and discussion among the intellectuals and authorities of Odisha. Only then can a decision be made that will truly reflect the values and heritage of the state and its people.
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