Sambalpur, Jan 5: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said that Sambalpur University should take responsibility not only in the field of higher education but also in solving social, fundamental problems in the state like drinking water, health, combating cancer, farmers' problems and environmental protection.

Pradhan said that Sambalpur has always shown its bravery and valor in fetching freedom to the country by fighting the British without compromise. The contributions of Veer Surendra Sai, Dhruba Sai, Ujjwal Sai, Chhabil Sai, Jajjal Sai, Medini Sai, Kolabira Zamindar Karunakar Singh Naik, Madho Singh of Ghens Zamindar family, Kunjal Singh, Airi Singh, Bairi Singh, Hatte Singh, Shaheed Madhu Gadtia are unparalleled in giving independence to the country. The Hirakud Dam project in Sambalpur occupies a special place in Odisha.

Literature is rich in Sambalpur. Sambalpur has national level IIM, Sambalpur University, Gangadhar Meher University, Burla Medical College, Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Chipilima Campus of OUAT and Open University. "We all should take the responsibility to make Sambalpur the cradle of a knowledge-based economy. Our goal is to create an ecosystem like Harvard, MIT and Stanford University in Odisha, "he said.

The Union Minister addressed the huge gathering of students and teachers at the Sumbalpur University's 58th foundation day.

On the occasion, the Union Minister unveiled the statues of Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi, Swabhava Kabi Gangadhar Meher, Kabibara Radhanath Ray, Bhakt Kabi Madhusudan Rao and Vyaskabi Fakir Mohan Senapati in the Sambalpur University campus.

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