DEMAND FOR IIM AT BERHAMPUR GAINS MOMENTUM

The agitation for setting up a branch of the IIM at Brahmpur has gained momentum. Bhanja Vikas Manch (BVM), has started a signature campaign in support of its demand for establishment the premier institute at Brahmapur which is a commercial and educational hub of south Odisha.  Similarly, Berhampur Forum’ held a meeting here on Sunday last to chalk out the strategy to start a mass movement involving people from different walks of life  in support of the establishment of IIM in the Silk City. BVM is also contemplating to collect signature of at least 50,000 people which would soon be submitted to the Government along with a memorandum justifying the establishment of an IIM here.

Convenor of the Manch Sangram Panda disclosed it to the mediapersons on Tuesday. The members expressed their serious concern over the apathetic and step motherly attitude of the Government for neglecting south Odisha in different domains of development and more particularly the heritage city of Brahmapur. Citing examples of such deliberate negligence by the Government, the members alleged that the Gopalpur Airport, Railway Wagon factory at Sithalapalli, establishment of the Circuit Bench of Odisha High Court, and inclusion of Brahmapur in the Central Government’s proposed ‘smart city’ list are yet to be considered.

Though several institutions of national importance have been established in different small towns of the country, but this heritage city with a population of more than four lakh has always been neglected due to lack of will power of  the elected representatives and the Government. The great leaders like the former President Dr VV Giri and former Prime Minister PV Narasimah Rao, three former Chief Ministers, namely, Biswanath Das, Binayak Acharya and Biju Patnaik hail from the district of Ganjam. Still the district remains neglected, the Manch pointed out.

The Manch will soon collect signature of 50,000 people and will submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister, Union HRD Minister, and State CM for establishment of IIM at Brahmapur, it disclosed. In the meantime, former Deputy Speaker and senior BJP leader Rama Chandra Panda also demanded that the Union Government consider establishment of the proposed IIM at Brahmapur.

Source: The Pioneer