By Our Correspondent
SAMBALPUR:IIM, Sambalpur is slowly starting to take the form of a banyan tree in Sambalpur. It will cater to the intellectual and commercial needs of India, including Odisha, in the coming days, said Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan while attending the 11th Foundation Day celebrations of IIM, Sambalpur on the occasion of Dussehra on Thursday.
Shri Pradhan has proposed to IIM to plan a training program to enhance the skills of not only weavers but also entrepreneurs in the small, medium and medium enterprise (MSME) sector in the new age economy. In the coming days, there is an idea to create a new ‘value chain’ by connecting farmers and entrepreneurs of all categories of the local area with IIM.
Shri Pradhan further said that institutions like IIM Sambalpur should not only focus on job search but also create new entrepreneurs to provide jobs. He said, our educational institutions should not follow the rules of monopoly but should set new standards of excellence. Along with enriching our knowledge system, we should also provide practical education and skills to the students. This will enable them to solve the complex problems arising in the Indian and global markets.
IIM students were asked to take pride in the inspiring vision of Veer Surendra Sai. Shri Pradhan said that Sambalpur’s unique economic and cultural background creates immense opportunities for management students to acquire real-world knowledge. Students should understand this unique identity of Sambalpur. Efforts should be made to highlight its strengths and take steps for overall development. Moreover, the city should be taken on as a ‘case study of healthy development and integrated growth’.
The Education Minister expressed his happiness over teaching on the philosophy of IIM Sambalpur Saint Kavi Bhim Bhoi. He said, “If we see the suffering of living beings, we will not be able to bear it, and if we fall into hell after my life, the world will be saved”; this is the timeless thought of Saint Kavi Bhim Bhoi, the great preacher of Mahami Dharma, which is guiding the whole world today. The youth should also take inspiration from this. Management students should create new chapters. He called for solving the challenges facing and emerging in India and contributing to the development of a developed India. Shri Pradhan highlighted the beauty of Rangavati Geet, Goddess Samaleswari, Hirakud Dam, Debrigarh Sanctuary and other tourist places and attractions.
Shri Pradhan inaugurated the ‘Rangavati Manch’, Kaberi Hostel and Cafe Hub Complex in the school premises. He said that this stage, named after the song ‘Rangavati’, which is the pride of Odisha, will give a beautiful platform to our students to showcase their art, culture and talent. This will help in taking the art and culture of Sambalpur to the world. The students will benefit from the other buildings inaugurated.
