Berhampur University inks pact to digitise rare Ayurveda manuscripts

Berhampur University on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), ministry of Ayush, to digitise, catalogue and publish rare Ayurvedic manuscripts and palm, leaf documents preserved at its South Odisha Cultural Study Centre (SOCSC).

The MoU was signed between Berhampur University vice, chancellor Geetanjali Dash and CCRAS director, general Rabinarayan Acharya in Bhubaneswar. National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad, a peripheral unit of CCRAS, will take the lead in the collaboration. There are plans to preserve more than 2, 000 palm, leaf manuscripts which contain priceless Ayurvedic knowledge by employing sophisticated digitisation methods, according to the research. In addition to that, the rare Ayurveda books and periodicals will be preserved as well.

Digitised copies will be provided to Berhampur University. Moreover, a catalogue titled ‘Descriptive Catalogue of Ayurveda Manuscripts of SOCSC-BU, Odisha’ will be prepared, featuring 44 distinct data fields for the benefit of researchers. The project is scheduled to be completed within two years.

Curtains fall on UTSAH fest

The valedictory ceremony of UTSAH2026, which is the 39th Inter, University East Zone Youth Festival by the Association of Indian Universities, was most enthusiastically held at Fakir Mohan University in Balasore on Saturday. The festival was a platform for the young people from eastern India to showcase their talents, creativity and cultural unity.

The event saw the Chancellor of Fakir Mohan University, Santosh Kumar Tripathy, speaking very highly of the students from the various institutions who, in his opinion, exhibited the perfect combination of unity, discipline and artistic excellence. He emphasized that youth festivals are one of the most influential tools for the promotion of cultural values, leadership qualities and national integration among the youngsters.

The chief guest, collector of Balasore Suryawanshi Mayur Vikash, in his address mentioned the role of cultural venues in bringing up socially responsible and imaginative citizens. Members Manish Jangra and Deepak Mishra, from the Association of Indian Universities, appreciated the top notch performances, the fair judging method and the good organization of the festival. UTSAH was attended by more than 700 students from 19 universities of Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Victory for tribal youth

A team of students of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Hirli in Nabarangpur district, have become the runner up in the national Model Youth Gram Sabha competition which was held recently. The competition was played by a team of 10 students from the school and is an annual event organised by the ministries of panchayati raj, education and tribal affairs.

The initiative intends to develop leadership qualities in students by familiarizing them with the democratic processes at the village level. More than 28, 000 students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and EMRSs were involved this year in the simulated gram sabha and gram panchayat sessions..

In the EMRS category, EMRS Hirli won the second position, while EMRS Kosambuda in Chhattisgarh clinched the first place.

IIM-Sambalpur annual fest

ETHOS 2026, the three day annual fest of IIM Sambalpur, that ended recently, was a wonderful show of excellence, innovation and creativity.

The three, day event, inaugurated by its director, Mahadeo Jaiswal and entrepreneur and founder of Sattva Consulting Debranjan Pujahari, had engrossing business competitions, cultural displays and Utkrishtha, a mega intra, college sports tournament. More than 800 students participated in football, badminton, volleyball, chess, table tennis, and athletics. A friendly faculty, staff match was also there to strengthen the bond and add to the spirit of camaraderie.

Cultural performances brought energy and colour to the campus, with highlights including the ‘Styloholic’ fashion walk, dance and music events, stand-up comedy by Kumar Varun and a musical evening by Javed Ali and his band, followed by performances by Anurag Halder and DJ sets by DJ Partho and DJ Swattrex.

The valedictory ceremony honoured outstanding performers and acknowledged the collective efforts of students, faculty, partners and volunteers.