Bhubaneswar, April 6: The National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco) has extended its help to chronicle the contemporary history of Odisha.

Addressing the first history alumni meet of Utkal University on Sunday, the chairman-cum-managing director of Nalco, Tapan Kumar Chand, said: "Historians have recorded the ancient history of Odisha, but left much to be desired when it comes to the modern and contemporary history of the state."

"In this context, as a responsible corporate citizen, Nalco is keen to help chronicle the contemporary history of Odisha," said Chand.

Citing the example of great historians, such as Manmoth Nath Das, Karuna Sagar Behera, Atul Pradhan and Himansu Sekhar Patnaik, Chand pointed out that students of history have an inquisitive faculty, an analytical ability and overall a capability to serve prescriptions for the future. "It is incumbent upon the students of history to change the image of the state," Chand said.

The head of the history department of Utkal varsity, Amal Mishra, and other speakers opined that subjects of humanities, especially history, have staged a comeback in the various echelons of the corporate world.

Chand was also felicitated on the occasion. The meeting was followed by the formation of an alumni association.

In another development, Nalco has bagged the prestigious India Pride Award for the year 2015-16 for corporate social responsibility and environment protection and conservation.

Chand received the award from Union minister for communications and information technology Ravi Shankar Prasad during the 7th edition of the India Pride Awards held in New Delhi on Monday.

India Pride Awards have been instituted as a tribute to the contributions made and excellence achieved in public services, especially by the public sector undertakings.