The 76th Independence Day was celebrated at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) on Monday with the Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra unfurling the national tri-colour.

Speaking after hoisting the flag, Prof. (Dr.) Mahapatra said though India had attained freedom 75 years ago, the people were yet to be conscious about their duties and responsibilities.

The country was battling several odds including burgeoning population and diseases like drug resistant tuberculosis as 35 per cent of the patients suffering from the disease had drug resistant TB, he said.

A major problem encountering the country today was that when the people were conscious of their rights, they were not mindful of their responsibilities. Quoting reports, he said Indians had the lowest social consciousness. “It is difficult to educate an educated person,” Prof. (Dr.) Mahapatra said.

The event was also addressed by Pro-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Amit Banerjee who expressed happiness that SOA had completed 25 years of its existence this year which coincided with ‘Azadi Ki Amrit Mahotsav’ being celebrated by the country.

A book containing lectures delivered by eminent persons from different fields as part of the SOA Fortnightly

Academic Lecture (SOAFAL) series styled as ‘SOAFAL MALA’ was released on the day by SOA Founder President Prof. (Dr.) Manojranjan Nayak in a separate function.

Prof. (Dr.) Nayak said the lecture series had helped in enhancing the brand of the university. The book has been edited by Prof. Nachieketa K. Sharma, Director of University Outreach Program. Chancellor of the University, Prof. D.P.Ray, Pro-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Banerjee, Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Mahapatra, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Pro-Vice Chancellor cum Registrar, Prof. Bibhuti Bhushan Pradhan, Chairman of SOA’s Advisory Board Prof. Damodar Acharya, Consultant to SOA, Prof. R.P.Mohanty, Deans of different institutions functioning under SOA, Directors and senior officials were present.

The occasion was also celebrated in different institutions under SOA while a government sponsored LED Video mounted van carrying the story of contribution of Odisha to the freedom movement visited the university campus to create awareness about those who were involved in the struggle for independence among students.