Work on Vedanta University near Konark to begin soon

Bangalore, Mar 6 (UNI) Work on the proposed 'Vedanta University', coming up between Puri and Konark, will begin soon, Orissa Information and Publicity, and Sports and Youth Services Minister Debasis Nayak said today.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said the Vedanta Foundation had taken up the project in cooperation with the Orissa Government. The proposed project would be of international standards and comprise, among others, a state-of-the-art sports complex and a hospital complex. The land acquisition process had commenced, he added.

Mr Nayak said a Special Tourism Area was also being developed by enlisting private sector investment near Chilka to promote upmarket tourism. It would involve an investment of over Rs 400 crore and the State Government had approached the Centre for financial assistance.

He said he was here in connection with a three-day Oriya Film and Cultural Festival as Bangalore had over 3.5 lakh Oriya population.

About the festival, he said Karnataka Sports Minister Alkod Hanumanthappa would inaugurate the fest tomorrow. Reputed artistes from Orissa, both classical and folk, would present interesting items such as Gotipua Dance, Ghumura, Bazasal and Sambalpuri dance.

Odissi vocal included recital from Sri Geeta Govindam of the famous Oriya poet Sri Jayadeva of the 12th century. Oriya movies like 'Kathantara' would also be screened, he added.

UNI