We can claim that we are doing a lot and are following the ideals of Rama Devi (Rama Devi Choudhury) in letter and spirit. However, whether we are successful or not, only an outsider can say that. As a member of this institution, I can humbly say that we have been adhering to the ideals of the freedom fighter, who always advocated for empowerment of women. The college has produced a number of doctors, administrators, business entrepreneurs and sportspersons such as Shrabani Nanda, Valena Valentina. While Nanda has brought laurels to the state in the field of athletics, Valentina has made the state proud in the field of karate.
The college celebrated its golden jubilee in last November. President Pranab Mukherjee had attended the function. How did it help the institution?
The President is the first citizen of the country. When he arrives at your institution, it certainly gives a boost to its image. In fact, it helps in making value addition to the rich history of the institution. It motivates and inspires students, teachers and staff. The President receives invitations from institutions all over the country, but he does not attend all of them. The Rastratpati Bhavan checks the history of the institution before the President agrees to attend its function. So, his visit to our college speaks volumes about the rich culture and heritage of the great institution. As per the original programme, Pranab Mukherjee was scheduled to address us for 10 minutes, but he gave an extempore speech for nearly 24 minutes.
Your institution will soon be accorded the status of a women university, the first-of-its-kind in the state. An announcement has already been made to this effect by the state government. How will it help to address the issues affecting women?
It will give a huge boost to women education. Sometimes in a co-ed college or university, a woman cannot get a seat. Now, she can avail the facilities of pursuing higher studies here. More qualified women will be produced and it will also help address gender issues. Besides, a positive atmosphere will be created. Girls have talents, but they at times fail to get the right platform to explore them in a co-ed institution. The inner talents of girl students will be harnessed here.
We are talking about women empowerment, but gender bias continues to exist. In the state, the sex ratio (979 female per 1,000 male as per 2011 census) is a cause for concern. How do you react to it?
Gender bias is there as this is a male-dominated society. The girls are not given enough importance. Though we are talking of women empowerment, we need to change our mindset. The daughter is equally important like a son. Gradually things are improving. Now, parents, too, have started realising that daughters are not less in any way compared to their sons. Things will improve more in the coming days.
Besides the state government, Narendra Modi government at the Centre is equally laying emphasis on women empowerment by introducing a number of programmes, including Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (save girl child and educate her). How is your institution planning to help in the movement?
We are organising seminars on a regular basis on how to remove discrimination against women. When the President visited our campus, we had unveiled a seven-feet tall stone structure where three women carry the globe on their heads - symbolising women empowerment and their dreams to reach stars.
lWe are all taking of rising discrimination against women. How can it be solved?
If moral education is given stress from the very beginning, the gender bias can be removed to a great extent. Earlier, it was a practice to educate men in gurukul ashrams.... There should be continuous thrust on empowering women.
What is your view on sex education?
It should not be considered a taboo. However, it should be taught carefully to the students after Class IX. Once proper education on the subject is given, the students will have a healthy and clear understanding of physiology and sex. This will also help counter perversion.
Violence against women is on a rise (1,832 rape cases and 4,898 dowry-related cases in 2013 in the state). Even students have been victim of their own teachers. How do you react to it?
Only law and punishment will not be able to stop this nuisance. This can be curbed through moral education. The crime against students perpetrated by teachers is shocking. In our college, we a have strict vigilant system. There is a sexual harassment cell and grievance cell. We have been able to send a message of zero tolerance against any crime on students by any one, whoever might he or she be.
Rama Devi College is a premier institution in the state. Nearly, 5,000 students are studying in the college at the moment, but we have noticed that it still struggles to provide hostel facility to its students?
The college was set up in 1964 in a small building of the state labour department. Later it was shifted to the old school building at Unit-1 in 1966 and finally this campus came into existence in 1969. Since then efforts are being made to improve the infrastructure here. At present we have three hostels - Anindita, Anyatama and Ananya. Another hostel is outside the campus and is managed by the SC and ST development department. A new hostel will be opened for students shortly.
Besides, the state government has sanctioned another three hostels with a capacity of 400 each. We are making provisions to provide accommodation to nearly 2,000 students in the coming days. At present, we have facilities for 800 students. Steps are being taken to refurbish the library. Government has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for the project.
What is the present status of campus recruitment from your institutions?
Companies are visiting us. I will have to check the numbers.....
How do you propose to increase campus recruitment?
We have to lay stress on communicative English. Skill development is also the need of the hour. We are working on it. Emphasis should be given from the high school level. We are planning to introduce job-related courses, including fashion designing.
Should a child be given education in English from an early age?
No. Research tells us that a child can grow well if he or she is imparted knowledge through his or her mother tongue. Once a student is proficient in his mother tongue, he or she can pick up any other language. It is not a difficult task.
You are from Puri. How do you plan to celebrate the Nabakalebar (change of idols) festival of Lord Jagannath this year?
Lord Jagannath is our God. As I am from Puri, our family has close bonding with the Jagannath culture. My husband, who is a businessman, is also a great devotee ofLord Jagannath. I am planning to send various social service wings of the college like NCC and NSS to Puri to participate in the upcoming Nabakalebar festival.
What would you have been had you not been a teacher?
Perhaps, I would have been a dancer. I used to dance quite well during my childhood days. I belong to a family where dance and song played a great role and had its impact on the minds of the children. Since my childhood, I grew up listening to songs from my mother. My father, a lawyer, was also a literary figure.
Eminent educator
The 57-year-old teacher hails from Puri.
She did her matriculation from the Puri Girls’ High School and Plus Two from the Puri Women’s
College.
She graduated from the SCS College, Puri.
She got her post graduate degree in psychology from Utkal University.
She started her career as a lecturer in Balangir.
