A volleyball match in progress at Jazbaa, an inter-college sports event at the International Management Institute, Bhubaneswar

The selfless contribution of youngsters to social and environmental development, and natural disasters in particular, was celebrated on International Volunteer Day on December 5 in Bhubaneswar. This year, the focus was on “Volunteering in Disaster Response” in view of the recent cyclone and floods.

Young volunteers, who were felicitated for their contribution in relief and restoration activities post-Phailin. Telegraph pictures

Around 450 youths took part in the event. Addressing the gathering, United Nations Development Programme officer Ambika Nanda said human casualties could be averted during the calamities due to massive evacuation carried out with the help of local volunteers. State information commissioner Jagadananda spoke about the significant role the volunteers play in comforting people traumatised by disasters. Many other youth leaders and NGO activists also expressed their views on volunteerism. Actor Akash DasNayak also attended the event to motivate the participants. The highlight of the event, however, was the felicitation of 10 volunteers for their exemplary service. Of them, six were felicitated for their work in the post-Phailin relief and restoration efforts. The International Volunteer Day is celebrated across the world every year to recognise the power and impact of volunteers in changing lives, and it was celebrated for the sixth year in succession in Bhubaneswar.

Sidharth Sritam Pattnaik, who secured second highest mark in the MBBS final exam under Utkal University. Telegraph picture

Ace medico

Sidharth Sritam Pattnaik, a student of Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar, was conferred with the Dr Gobind Chandra Senapati Memorial Gold Medal by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics this year for securing second highest mark in the MBBS final examination under Utkal University. He received the award from revenue and disaster management minister Surjya Narayan Patro during the 34th Odisha State Pediatric Conference in Berhampur on December 7.

Sidharth secured highest mark in paediatrics and surgery among the students of government and private medical colleges under the university, and topped in KIMS, results of which were recently declared. Students from KIMS have been securing top positions in semester examinations conducted by Utkal for the past six years.

Sports time

The International Management Institute, Bhubaneswar, hosted a two-day inter-college sports event, Jazbaa, last week on its compound at Gothapatna on the city outskirts. Over 200 students in 50 teams from various institutes all over the country took part in various activities such as cricket, volleyball, table tennis, chess, darts, and even mehndi and rangoli competitions. Students from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai, Institute for International Management and Technology in Calcutta and other city-based colleges such as Silicon Institute of Technology, Institute of Technical Education and Research, College of Engineering Technology, Gandhi Engineering College, DAV School of Business Management and Birla Institute of Management Technology bagged prizes in the various events. Director of the host institute Ramesh Behl awarded the winners with trophies and certificates along with cash prizes.

Participants at a workshop organised by Central Toolroom and Training Centre, Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Farm techniques

Techies and farmers explored ways to boost farm productivity and food processing during a recent workshop organised by the Central Toolroom and Training Centre, Bhubaneswar, under the Design Clinic Scheme of the ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises. The scheme encourages student designers from technical institutes and engineering colleges to improve their competencies for design and innovation with a small grant of Rs 1.5 lakh for each project. Students would get a stipend and reimburse their expenses for giving shape to their innovation. The workshop emphasised on skill development of women by building gender sensitivity to the scheme, such as making women-friendly workstations in agriculture, post-harvest processing and management and food processing. There was also an interactive session between an agri enterprise cluster with MSME equipment manufacturers and scientists to come up with value added products in farms. This would counter rising rural wages and low turnout of workers that had made agri enterprises unprofitable for farmers, said an official.

Plasma science

The 28th national symposium on plasma science and technology was held at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, in association with the Plasma Science Society of India from December 3 to 6. The four-day symposium focussed on fundamental, industrial, space and laser plasma aspects. The symposium was attended by more than 400 participants national and international institutions. They gave oral and poster presentations. Eminent scientists and leading institutions from Australia and Nepal attended the symposium. A large number of research scholars also took part. Prominent industries also attended the sessions. A group, led by S.K.S. Parashar and Kajal Parashar of KIIT, put on display “lithium titanate nanoceramic pebbles” that can also be used for applications of tokamak, an advanced fusion design device. A special session was devoted to local institutes in which scientists from National Institute of Science Education and Research, Institute of Minerals and Material Technology and others delivered talks. Awards for best oral and poster presentations in various categories were also given away on the occasion.

Aids campaign

The National Institute of Social Work and Social Sciences, Bhubaneswar, conducted several programmes last fortnight to raise awareness about HIV-AIDS. Students and teachers took out a rally to sensitise people about the causes and precautions, myths and beliefs, as well as government schemes for patients. They also took part in seminars, essay and slogan writing competitions to mark the event.