Orissa Needs An Indian Institute of Science for Education and research

To: The Honorable Prime minister of India



Date: 8th October 2005



Sub: Orissa Needs An Indian Institute of Science for Education and research



Dear Esteemed Prime minister:



The Government of India has recently approved a proposal to set up two institutes of Indian Institute of Science for Education and Research (IISER) in Pune and Kolkota. I would like to bring to your attention the fact that way back in December 2003, the then Human Resource Development Minister Prof. M.M. Joshi had announced the formation of four Nation Institute of Sciences (NIS) in Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Pune and Allahabad. Its grave injustice to the state of Orissa that Bhubaneswar was eliminated and deemed unfit for the establishment of IISER.



The state, Orissa is abundant with various natural resources, which vital for the development of a state and country. These natural resources such as high-grade Iron ore, Coal, Bauxite, Chromites, Limestone, Dolomites, Manganese, Tin, Nickel, Vanadium, Gemstone etc. have not been properly used for a longtime. Even though Orissa is rich in natural resources, 60\% of the people live blow the poverty line. Proper utilization of the natural resource in the state will help in changing the landscape of Orissa and India. Therefore, the state needs an Institute that envisages offering education and teaching in basic science totally integrated with the state-of-the-art research.



Sir, this natural resources rich state does not have a reputed Central Government funded Educational institute. Orissa was deprived of an IIT just after Independence and even though, recently various engineering educational institutes were elevated or granted the status of IIT, unfortunately, none of them are in Orissa. In recent years, Bhubaneswar has come up as a major information technology hob for software industry. Unfortunately, Bhubaneswar in particular and Orissa in general were deprived of an IIIT. For your information, all the major IT cities have either an IIT or IIIT in the city or close by. Setting up of an Indian Institute of Science for Education and Research in Bhubaneswar will fulfill the long standing demand of a Central government funded institute in the state.



Bhubaneswar, capital of Orissa, has also a Council of Science and Industrial Research (CSIR) lab which works closely with industry. The city also boasts of an Institute of Physics and an Institute of mathematics and application in Bhubaneswar. These institutes work on basic sciences whereas the CSIR lab works mainly on Industry related projects. Establishment of an IISER will greatly benefit these research institutes and other engineering colleges present in Orissa.



Sir, Orissa is the second poorest state in India and has proved to be a weak link in the development of India. Fortunately, the state has abundant natural resources at its disposal and efficient utilization of these resources will take Orissa and India, as well to the next level of development. Bhubaneswar, the state capital is an ideal location for Indian Institute of Science Education and Research.







For more information, please visit http://www.public.asu.edu/~cbaral/orissa/nis-why.html