Various student clubs of NIT Rourkela have started orientations and inductions for the new academic session. The dramatics club of the institute "Pantomime" had its orientation on August 5. The programme started with the new students introducing themselves and sharing their reasons for joining the club. Each student had a story to tell. They shared how they found interest in the field of dramatics.
After the programme, second-year students demonstrated various dramatic forms ranging from mimicry to street play. The senior students talked about what goes into the making of a street play and how expedient it is to convey a message through the art form. There were many games and activities for all. The evening ended with the seniors sharing their thoughts on vision and mission of the club.
Think about it
MAXIM, the marketing association of the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, organised annual business conclave "Mercatique" on August 7. Another event, "Communiqué 2016", was hosted by Illuminatix, the students' media cell.
The topic of discussion for the marketing conclave was "Driving Customer Loyalty in the Digital Age". Sujoy Chakrabarti from TATA Sky Ltd said loyalty was no longer a transactional deal with customers but continued excellence and building relationships. Bidyut Nath from Titan Industries elaborated on the importance of personalised customer data in building a successful brand.
Freedom call
SOA University is celebrating "Azaadi 70" fortnight from August 9 to 23 in consonance with the sentiments of minister for HRD Prakash Javadekar in "Yaad Karo Qurbani".
The programme began with the students celebrating Quit India Day by holding an NCC cadets march, saluting freedom fighters and dedicating patriotic songs to the victims of Jallianwala Bagh. Students and faculty members will visit the birthplaces of freedom fighters such as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Utkal Mani Gopabandhu Dash.
On August 15, as a part of the "Azaadi 70" celebrations, 70 students from the university will form a human pyramid. Deans of various institutions will conduct essay writing, quiz and debate competitions on the freedom struggle on 11, 12 and 13 August.
Tech and media
A national seminar, "Regional Language Journalism: Problems and Prospects", was held at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, on August 4 in association with Odisha State Open University.
The day coincided with Odia Journalism Day. The group editor of a Hindi daily highlighted the importance of technological upgrades in the industry. Reiterating the importance of Internet and technological advancements, experts addressed the importance of regional newspapers in the today's society.
B. Balaswamy of Osmania University, Hyderabad, talked about the conflict between local and national media issues, while a former associate editor of a Bangla daily deliberated on political and extra-constitutional pressure.
Students'protest
Students of FM Autonomous College and KKS Women's College are organising demonstrations to protest lack of teachers and basic facilities.
The colleges allegedly lack basic amenities such as books and laboratories.
They said there were a number of vacancies in various departments. They said they have no proper common room, lights, fans or drinking water.
Students of FM College demonstrated in front of the college, while the students of KKS women's college staged a protest in front of the principal's office. The students of both colleges submitted a memorandum to the district collector of Balasore.
Teachers too few
Students of Gangadhar Meher University called on vice-chancellor S.S. Rath and requested him not to relieve teachers who had been transferred from the institution without instating their substitutes.
They also submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor. They said the institution was reeling from staff shortage and transfer of the teachers would badly affect the institution.
Rath assured the students that their demands would be considered. General secretary of the varsity students' union Sumeet Patel, vice-president Pallabi Purohit, former students' union president Milan Hota and several other students took part in the talks.