The Utkal University, in association with the Institute of Media Studies and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, organised a three-day conference on Indian Cultural Heritage: Past, Present and Future last week. Inaugurating the conference, Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan said multi-faceted and multi-layered Indian culture had constantly regenerated itself through centuries. The conference aimed to promote the rich and diversified cultural heritage of the country as well as strengthen the relation with the SAARC countries. Scholars from 13 universities from India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka presented about 60 papers at the event.
Handicrafts event
A promotional event on state handicrafts was recently organised at the Dhauli College of Art and Crafts here. A number of officials from the state handloom and handicrafts department spoke about the government's schemes and provisions for the craftsmen at the event. Many young artists of the college, along with 50 craftsmen from nearby areas, took part in the programme.
Art revival
The famous 179-year-old wooden mask dance of Bisipada in Kandhamal district was recently staged at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. The dance that depicts Lanka podi yatra has several characters such as Ram, Lakshman, Sita, Hanuman and Ravan. The institute's students interacted with the artistes to learn about the art form. The initiative aimed to encourage rural artistes and revive the form. Besides, cultural evenings are being held on the first and third Monday of every month on the institute premises at Kharavela Nagar.
Education boost
The KIIT University recently inked a memorandum of understanding with the International Association of Universities (IAU) to internationalise the education system in the varsity. International Universities Bureau's executive director and IAU secretary general Eva Egron-Polak as well as KIIT University founder Achyuta Samanta signed the agreement. The IAU is an association of more than 650 higher education institutions and organisations in around 130 countries. It is based in Paris and located at the Unesco headquarters.
Classical festival
The Central University of Odisha recently organised a cultural festival on its Sunabeda campus. The students performed classical dance, songs and drama on patriotic and tribal themes. Vice-chancellor Sachidananda Mohanty, in his address, stressed to develop the students’ abilities for excellence.
Annual day
The annual technical festival, Zazen, and cultural festival, Zephyr, of the Odisha Engineering College was recently organised. A number of competitions, including cyber gaming, robotics and sports events, were held during the event. Students also walked the ramp donning clothes designed by them. Singer Emon Chatterjee enthralled the audience with his versatile singing. A number of local bands also performed at the event.
Army centre
Director-general of the National Cadet Corps Lt Gen Vinod Vashisht recently laid the foundation stone for NCC Nagar at Chandrasekharpur in Bhubaneswar. It will act as the training centre for young cadets from various colleges across the state. The central public works department constructed the enclave for Rs 27 crore provided by the defence ministry. The state government provided the land for the project. It will include office of NCC directorate, officers' mess, residential quarters, canteen store department and other office accommodation facilities.
