Thorat's absence to grace SU convocation triggers discontentment

Sambalpur, Nov 1 (UNI) The absence of UGC Chairman Sukhdeo Thorat to grace the Sambalpur University convocation as Chief guest has irked a large number of Syndicate and Senate members of the University.

Mr Thorat was to grace the 22nd convocation of Sambalpur university as Chief Guest on October 28 last.He arrived Bhubaneswar on October 27 last but he did not turn up to attend the convocation.

His absence in the convocation forced the Sambalpur University authority to make major changes in the convocation function presided over by Chancellor and Orissa Governor Rameswar Thakur.

Several Syndicate and Senate members of the Sambalpur University alleged that Mr.Thorat had dropped the idea of visiting Burla when he came to know that there is no flight connectivity to the town.

The UGC Chairman, they said, took the plea of sickness for not attending the convocation when the next day he reviewed the Vice Chancellors conference at Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

Senate members Hrudananda Sarangi, Sukanta Parida, Sumanta Swain and Surendra Mohanty dubbed the action of the UGC Chairman as nothing but humiliation to the University.

Strongly condemning such a grave mistake on the part of the UGC Chairman,the syndicate and senate members of the University had decided to bring the matter to the notice of the Chancellor and demand an enquiry as it had hurt the sentiments of the students, teachers and the people all over Western Orissa.

The last convocation of the University was graced by President of India A P J Abdul Kalam.Several other dignitaries of the country had also taken it as a pleasure to be in the convocation function. But Mr Thorat, they alleged, broke a glorious tradition of the university.

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