Funds pour in for development of Ravenshaw

The PG Department of English, Ravenshaw University organised an alumni association meet of the department under the leadership of the HOD English Prof Dipti Ranjan Pattanaik. At the outset, Dr Nandita Mohapatra gave a brief account of the history of the department and the glorious tasks it has performed in the proliferation of knowledge. The meeting was presided over by Commissioner, State Income Tax Department Pradosh Kumar Mohanty.

Several alumni of the department, now holding respectable positions, both in the academic and bureaucratic spheres, graced the occasion. These dignitaries included eminent poets like Ramakanta Rath, Prof Soubhagya Kumar Mishra, MP Cuttack Bhartruhari Mahtab, eminent linguist Prof BN Pattanaik, renowned scholar Prof Gangadhar Mishra and many other fellow Ravenshavians of the English department. The meet witnessed unprecedented enthusiasm and the interaction among the members was invigorating. A prolonged discussion on its aims and objectives and the means to bring them to fruition was undertaken.

With this in view, the office bearers to various posts were nominated. It was unanimously decided to fix an amount of Rs 500 for annual membership and Rs 3,000 for lifetime membership. The association further resolved to undertake such tasks like establishment of a printing press, publication of a referral journal, extending financial help to meritorious poor students, inviting scholars and writers from different disciplines for dissemination of knowledge and conducting seminars and conferences at regular intervals.

To the delight of the members, Prof Gangadhar Mishra voluntarily came up with a donation of Rs 11,111 to strengthen the alumni fund and also promised a further contribution of Rs 1,00,000. Mahtab promised to provide necessary fund to construct an alumni association building. Pradosh Kumar Mohanty assured the association with income tax rebate on donation. In addition, the alumni association decided to hold general body meetings on a regular basis with the inclusion of more and more members. Prof Rajani Kanta Nayak offered the vote of thanks.