The seminar aimed at exploring and highlighting lesser-known
aspects of the freedom struggle in western Odisha, including the heroic
resistance of Veer Surendra Sai and the Kudopali
Massacre, as well as discussing the rich cultural
heritage of the region and its role in sustainable
management. The event also served as a platform for discussion through
academic papers, keynote speeches, and paper presentations to
document indigenous knowledge systems, bridge historical narratives with
contemporary sustainability practices, and foster interdisciplinary research on
India's cultural and historical legacy.
The
event was graced by the presence of distinguished experts from around the
world, including Prof. Dr Phoebe Koundouri, Chair of the UNSDSN Global Climate
Hub, Greece; Prof. Otaviano Canuto, The Brookings Institution and former VP, the
World Bank, USA; Dr. Tamar Bagratia, Tbilisi State University, Georgia; Prof. Dil Rahut, Vice Chairman, Asian Development Bank
Institute, Japan, and Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur.
The
distinguished international speaker applauded the activities of Rangavati
Centre of excellence on culture sustainable Management at IIM Sambalpur in
undertaking the activities in the unexplored area of culture and sustainable
management.
During
the inaugural address, Prof. Mahadeo
Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur said, "By establishing the Rangavati
Centre for Excellence in Culture and Sustainable Management, IIM Sambalpur has
taken steps to support top-notch research on culture and sustainable management.
Research and knowledge creation on, the inclusiveness of the weaving business,
undiscovered facets of armed and non-violent freedom struggles, various trends cultural
and sustainable management in western Odisha have all been undertaken by this
Center of Excellence. The multidisciplinary method used by the Rangavati
Centre, which is committed to developing internationally recognized Sambalpuri
art, has become the most recent academic study and research. This element has
also been emphasized by the National Education Policy (NEP2020), coupled with
the development and broader distribution of new knowledge produced by a
multi-disciplinary approach."
He
further added, "The Centre for Excellence has been engaged in high-quality
research; organizing national and international seminars and conferences,
creation, dissemination and publication of new knowledge. The Rangavati Centre
has been set up with the support and cooperation of Ministry of Education,
Government of India."
The
event witnessed two insightful sessions, namely "Freedom Struggles and
Culture", which was conducted by experts like Dr. Alok Bhoi, Shri Birendra
Jhankar, and Dr. Bibhudutta Mishra, highlighted unknown regional resistance and
struggle of many unknown historical freedom fighters in western Odisha. The other session namely, Cultural Heritage
and Sustainable Management, with presentations by Shri Dukhi Sebak Sahu, Shri
Rajesh Jhankar, Dr. Sraban Kumar Bag and Shri Bhavani Sankar Bhoi, on
indigenous heritage and its relevance to contemporary discourse in sustainability.
Moreover, a research report and compendium were also released on the occasion. It is important to note that the seminar witnessed the participation of more than 100 scholars, researchers, and students, which resulted in thought-provoking discussions on lesser-known aspects of India's freedom struggle and the importance of cultural heritage in sustainable management. The seminar was coordinated by Dr. Sujit Kumar Pruseth, IIM Sambalpur, while the vote of thanks was given by Dr Hemachandra Padhan, IIM Sambalpur.