IIT Bhubaneswar Celebrates Independence Day Amidst the Pandemic with Patriotic Fervour

15TH Aug 2020, Bhubaneswar: IIT Bhubaneswar celebrated the 74th Independence Day at its Campus by adhering to social distancing and other norms as per Govt. protocol amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Prof R.V. Raja Kumar, Director, hoisted the National Flag, offered floral tribute to the Father of the Nation, Bharat Mata and delivered his Independence Day address followed by national anthem, sung by everyone in a rhythmic chorum.

In his address, Prof R.V. Raja Kumar, addressed the gathering recalling the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs and freedom fighters who fought for the freedom of the nation and paying homage to them. He reminded that it is the responsibility of everyone to strengthen the spirit of freedom, carry on nation-building, and give the nation the right place it deserves. He reminded about the clarion call made by Shri Narendra Modiji, Hon'ble Prime Minister for making use of the Pandemic as an opportunity for the creation of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. Prof Raja Kumar stated that the institute launched a number of initiatives in this direction. The way the institute has been running its academics including during the pandemic period with no compromises at all is, a unique example of the high academic standards the institute has been following and setting a global class example from India. He said that the endeavour will continue. He also reiterated that the campus planning and infrastructure development are also being made at global standards and it is unique. The green campus developed at IIT Bhubaneswar over the last five years presents a very positive atmosphere with wellness ambiance. He applauded the way the institute protected the community of 400 students, 2000 construction workers, the faculty, staff, and their families who stayed back in the campus during the lockdown period and after, without even a single Covid case. He also complimented the large number of faculty colleagues and students who developed a number of technologies for controlling Covd-19 and wished that the teams could also rise to manufacture and market the same in large number, at their earliest.

Prof Kumar mentioned that the institute identified nine areas where the institute likes to have high valued global class research work happening. In the area of climate science, the work happening at the institute has no parallel other than the IMD in the country and already in that position. The research group in Augmented and Virtual Reality is emerging as a strong group at a good pace. In other areas too, the institute is aspiring to build faculty groups attaining global class contributions. He emphasized the need for adopting the right pedagogies needed for sharpening the skills of the students on creativity and innovative thinking, a key for helping India attaining self-sufficiency.

Prof Kumar mentioned that he posed this challenge of how each one of us can define our roles in the massive nation-building activity to all faculty, staff and called upon each student to question self about what he/she would like to participate and contribute towards creating Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, about a week back. Every citizen of India should participate and contribute to these missions directly or indirectly. He reminded that the first step towards the same is to make use of the opportunity to educate oneself with an objectivity to be tomorrow’s leader be it in Science & Technology, entrepreneurship, public service, or through other careers.

Keeping in view of the restrictions owing to the ongoing pandemic, there were no celebrations and March past taking into the consideration the safety of the campsites. The Security staff of the institute gave the Guard of Honour.

Also, present during the event was Prof Sujit Roy, Dean Research and Development (R & D), Prof V.R. Pedireddi, Dean, Student Affairs, Dr Santanu Pal, Warden, Col (Dr) Subodh Kumar, Registrar, Dr Bankim Mondal, EAA Co-coordinator, faculty members, staff and a large number of students. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Srikant Gollapudi, EAA Coordinator.