Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Education Minister has suggested to alter the name of 156-year-old Cuttack’s Ravenshaw University, which triggered a row. It is the oldest higher educational institution in the state.
While speaking at a function in Cuttack to celebrate local self-governance day, the minister questioned the role of Ravenshaw during the infamous Na’ Aanka famine in 1866, which claimed the lives of three million people of the state.
“There is a need for a name change. What did Ravenshaw, after whom the university is named, do during the famine hurt Odia? It is a matter of pride,” the education minister said.
He added, “The devastating famine of 1866 had taken place in Odisha during the tenure of TE Raveneshaw as the British Commissioner of the state. Many Odia people had perished in the famine. The calamity had occurred due to the administrative failure of the British authorities, including TE Ravenshaw.”
He also mentioned that it was his personal viewpoint and said, “Intellectuals in Odisha should mull over it. There should be debates over the matter.”
Ravanshaw had established the college, which was named after him later, in Cuttack City in 1868.
The Union minister’s proposal to change the name evoked sharp reactions from its former students as well as educationists. “The name of Ravenshaw University should not be changed. Ravenshaw is not a name; rather, it is a way of life. It has more than 100 years of history behind it….The minister’s statement is unrealistic,” said Hemendra Narayan Das, a former student of Ravenshaw University.
Former student and administrator of the university, Satyakam Mishra said that those who are familiar with the contribution of Ravenshaw will never suggest changing the name. “If our students have read Odia, it’s because of Ravenshaw…” said Mishra.
“Those who don’t know about Ravenshaw’s contribution will talk about famine. The famine didn’t occur due to Ravenshaw…He played a great role in spreading education in Odisha,” added Mishra.
Former Odisha chief secretary and an alumnus of the university, Sahadeb Sahoo, said Ravenshaw never tormented people. “He played a great role in spreading education in Odisha. People honoured him by naming the prestigious college after him. There is no need to change the name…” he said.
Supporting Pradhan’s suggestion, Bharatiya Janata Party’s Cuttack Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahatab said the name should be changed to uphold the state’s self-dignity. “Names of many famous roads and places have already been changed. What is wrong with it?” he said.
Odia intellectual Pradyumna Satpathy, showing support, thanked Pradhan for the suggestion. “As a true Odia, the minister has raised the issue to uphold our asmita (self-respect). I support his suggestion fully.”
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