By Sagar
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 13: Ph D scholars are caught in the crosshairs of an escalating conflict between student groups at Utkal University. While one set of students wants to drive away outsiders from the campus, the ‘outsiders’ group, which enjoys political patronage, is doing all it can to protect its interests inside the campus.
Nobody, however, spares a thought for these scholars, most of who don’t get hostel accommodation as there are no dedicated hostels for them. Those who are lucky to get rooms have to share it with M Phil students.
“Only when there is room after accommodating M Phil students do we get into the reckoning,” said Tusharkanti Bhuyan, a Ph D scholar.
The M Phil hostel, among others built for post-graduate students only, has 51 rooms, which leaves hundreds of Ph D scholars out of the purview of hostel facility on the campus.
“Universities are meant for research scholars and when we are not given the minimum facility like a place to stay inside the campus, how can I carry out my research and take guidance of professors whenever I need it?” asked Amit Kumar Nayak, another scholar.
Out of around 600 Ph D scholars presently pursuing their research at Utkal University, more than half stay outside while many of them discreetly share rooms with their post-graduate friends. “I’ve not been allotted a room and I’m bunking with a post-graduate friend here,” said a scholar on condition of anonymity.
When asked what steps authorities are taking to dislodge outsiders from hostels, PG Council Chairman GK Panda passed the buck to the students, saying the present situation is the result of their doing. “It’s them who allowed the outsiders in, and now only they have to act,” Panda said with a smirk. When asked if authorities are just going to be mute bystanders to the growing clout of anti-social elements inside the campus, Panda retorted, “Today if remove these weeds, they will grow back tomorrow with the help of these same students.”
“For each and every problem that you face in life, you don’t knock at the door of the President,” Panda said, suggesting that students sort out such problems among themselves rather than approaching the administration. When reminded that students here are the aggrieved party, Panda chose to dismiss it by saying the management is doing whatever it can.
With frequent violence erupting between student groups affiliated to different parties on the campus, Ph D scholars also find it difficult to carry out research.
“The environment here is not conducive for study or to conduct research. Political fights have snatched away the peace from the campus,” said Prabir Kumar Behera, a Ph D scholar.
Among several other problems, scholars also rue the lack of financial support, scholarship and inadequate faculty at the university.
Incidentally, around `1.5 crore was sanctioned for the development of each hostel this year. When asked what happened to the money, the chairman said two boys’ hostels and one girls’ hostel are being constructed while repairs of older ones are also being taken up.
On when the hostels will become functional, Panda said, “Foundation stones for all the three upcoming hostels have been laid recently.”
Scholars believe the funds sanctioned for the hostels’ development are sucked dry midway and rarely reach the ground.