The Department of Education at Central University of Odisha marked Diwali Utsav on campus with a traditional ceremony on October 29, 2024, embracing the festival's spirit.
Prof. Chakradhar Tripathi, the Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, attended the event and conveyed warm Diwali wishes to students, faculty, and staff. Prof. Tripathi highlighted Diwali as a time for joy and personal reflection, underscoring its cultural and spiritual significance in encouraging unity and positive transformation.
The ceremony saw the presence of key university faculty, including Prof. Bharat Kumar Panda, Head of the Department of Education; Dr. Kapila Khemundu, Head of Sociology; Dr. Padma Charan Mishra, Head of Business Management; and Dr. Ashok Erigala, Associate Professor of Education. Prof. N. C. Panda, Dean of the School of Languages and Acting Registrar of the University, also conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the gathering, adding to the warmth of the occasion.
Students from the Department of Education actively participated in the celebration, crafting clay lamps that were ceremonially lit in the evening. These lamps symbolized Diwali's core theme of light overcoming darkness, bringing a touch of traditional artistry and symbolism to the event. In his opening address, Prof. Panda spoke on Diwali’s cultural importance, calling it a time to reflect on good over evil and to pursue a path of virtue and integrity.
The evening featured reflections from several faculty members, including Dr. Kapila Khemundu, Dr. Padma Charan Mishra, Dr. Chakradhar Padhan, Dr. Prasenjit Sinha, and Dr. Elisa Mohanty, who shared insights on Diwali's relevance in modern India. Their addresses emphasized the festival's enduring values of resilience and unity.
The event drew an enthusiastic turnout from both students and faculty, making the Diwali Utsav a memorable experience that brought the university community together in celebration and shared values.
