Participants at the first edition of Model United Nations organised by Ravenshaw University and (right) the National Social Service wing of Nilgiri Plus Three college, Balasore, plant saplings on college campus. Telegraph pictures

Around 120 students from various colleges and universities of the twin cities took part in the first edition of Model United Nations organised by Ravenshaw University from July 25-27. All the participants represented the 100-member nations of the UN and deliberated various issues of global concerns, including illicit trade of small and light weapons and violation of right to privacy in the name of national interest. “It was good attempt to ignite the minds of the youth, who need to think global and act local. We are happy that so many participants showcased their talent by representing members of the United Nations and sought solutions to various problems,” said Smita Shree Mishra, general secretary of the varsity. Dean Sanjay Sathpathy said that the second edition of Ravenshaw Model United Nations will be held in January 2015 and will be organised in a grand manner.

Welcoming freshers

With the classes of different semesters beginning on July 28, an orientation programme was organised for the freshers of 2014 at National Institute of Fashion Designing (NIFT), Bhubaneswar. The orientation programme was a three-day event commencing from July 23. First-year students and their parents attended the event. The college hosted the programme where the director, the joint director, faculty members and non-teaching staff were present. After director K.C.S. Ray delivered the inaugural speech, a delightful talent hunt programme commenced. The students of the first-year showcased their skills on stage. The students and parents were then shown the entire college campus.

Hiring classmates

While most students sit for campus placements, two brothers decided to hire their classmates instead. Even before brothers — Vishal and Amar Sharma — graduated from Trident Academy of Technology, Bhubaneswar, they were able to come up with a company of their own called Fedobe Pvt Ltd.

It is a web designing and development unit that was the brainchild of elder brother Vishal and his friends, when they were in their final-year. Although, he was placed in a consultancy firm, he continued to work for the start up. Amar, who was a fresher then, was gradually mentored by his brother.

In his third-year of college, Amar co-founded his own start-up called “89innovates” incubated by Fedobe. In two years of Fedobe, the brothers have conducted campus drives in different colleges of Bhubaneswar, including their own.

While Vishal, was invited to XIMB to talk about his entrepreneurial journey with the students, Amar has left three job offers to work for his own start-up.

(Clockwise from left) Students of the SOA University carry umbrellas and placards to spread awareness against Hepatitis-B for a kilometer from Ram Mandir, Bhubaneswar; orientation programme being organised for freshers at National Institute of Fashion Designing, Bhubaneswar; and Vishal and Amar Sharma graduates from Trident Academy of Technology, Bhubaneswar, set up their web designing company “Fedobe Pvt Ltd”. Telegraph pictures

With love, from America

An 11-member team of students from California University led by Professor Annapurna Pandey and Trailokya Pandey reached the city on July 28 on an exposure tour of Odisha. Tourism and culture minister Ashok Panda welcomed the delegation at a city hotel. “The trip of the American students will help them imbibe the essence of the culture of the state and in turn will help in the promotion of the state. Through this cultural exchange, Odisha’s art, sculpture, painting, music and dance can receive wider appreciation,” said the minister. Students of Odisha Dance Academy performed Gotipua and Bandha dance, followed by a Sambalpuri folk dance on the occasion.

The students are here for under the cultural exchange programme. The step is likely to give a new dimension to the promotion of tourism and education.

Walk the talk

Scores of students of the SOA University, joined hands to create awareness about the scourge of Hepatitis-B with experts urging people to get vaccinated against the dreaded disease. Organised by the varsity, the event was held under the banner of Centre for Health Awareness. Participants carried umbrellas and placards spreading awareness against Hepatitis-B for a kilometre from Ram Mandir, Bhubaneswar, on July 28. Members of scouts and guides also took part in the event meant to observe World Hepatitis Day. Actress Archita Sahoo, who attended the programme along with actor Sabyasachi, urged the students to circulate the message about the dangers of Hepatitis-B and as to how they could protect themselves. “You can update your Facebook status as many don’t know about this. All must cooperate in this battle,” she said.

Litany of woes

The students of Government Homeopathy College of Sambalpur organised a meeting on the various problems of the institution on July 27. The meeting was organised on the premises of the institute. The students of institute spoke about various problems of the college during the meeting. The students have decided to organise a rally and submit a memorandum to the government asking to resolve the problems of the institution. The senior citizens and intellectuals of the city also participated in the meeting. The students have also decided that they will resort to agitation if appropriate steps are not taken to resolve the problems within seven day after the submission of the memorandum.

Fast and furious

School and college buses in Berhampur would ply at a speed of 20km per hour. District Collector Ganjam Prem Chandra Chowdhury and Annirudh Singh, superintendent of police Berhampur, have urged the authorities of the educational institutions to closely watch the movements of these buses in the city. “The authorities must inform us about the stoppages of their buses for our convenience. They must not use the old and outdated buses and give fitness, pollution-free and safety certificates. The authorities must keep the records of the drivers. Students below the age of 18 years are not allowed to drive the bikes,” collector Ganjam said. Entry of heavy vehicles has been prohibited from 7am to 10.30am and 1pm to 9pm to facilitate the school and college buses.