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Bhubaneswar, Sept. 25: Students are busy making the most of the time they are left with ahead of the union election on September 29.
While rallies were taken out on Utkal University campus, students were equally busy at Ramadevi Women’s College, Maharshi College of Natural Law, Ravenshaw University and other institutes.
Jhunubala Behera, contesting for the general secretary post at Rama Devi Women’s College, said the authority’s decision to put an embargo on campaigning on the campus was a huge let-down. The decision was taken following the incident in which supporters of a particular student tried to burn two vehicles on the campus.
“We are trying to talk to the students outside the campus. A few candidates have brought in DJs, who are playing music on open vehicles, to catch the attention of the students. Others are trying to say it with food packets and drinks,” Behera said.
Candidates at Ravenshaw University in Cuttack have also decided to intensify their campaigning. “We don’t have much time in hand to reach out to the students. Tomorrow we will conduct a door-to-door campaigning,” said Stitaprajna Das, a presidential candidate.
The candidates of Emarti Devi Women’s College are also trying to take up various issues, which plague the students, to create a strong base.
“Students complain about a lot of things such as lack of security, drinking water facilities and other things. We are highlighting these issues during our campaigning,” said Gayatri Nayak, a presidential candidate. Itishree Mohapatra, another presidential candidate has also promised all round development in the college. “Our college does not have its own campus. Moreover, students feel insecure as outsiders enter our college campus,” said Mohapatra.
Campuses in Rourkela appeared very peaceful today with hardly any sign of tension. Students here said they wouldn’t let the election affect their inter-personal relationship. Tapan Panda, one of the presidential candidates at Ispat Autonomous College, and also a second-year science student said: “Friendship is more important than winning an election.”
Candidates at Government Autonomous College in Rour-kela, Ispat College and Municipal College are trying to focus on issues such as condition of common rooms, fans and lights, canteen facilities etc.
Students in Berhampur are meeting voters on a one-to-one basis. “We are trying to reach out to the students through social networking sites,” said Sradhanjali Das of Sashi Bhusan Rath Women’s College.
