UTKAL UNIVERSITY

UTKAL UNIVERSITY

Pandit Godavarish Mishra, the then Minister of Education, introduced the Utkal University Bill, which was passed by the Odisha Legislative Assembly on June 30, 1943. The university started functioning from this date in room number fifteen of Ravenshaw College, Cuttack in November 27, 1943. The emblem of the university has a book and a lamp at the centre signifying the pursuit of knowledge and kindling the light of knowledge. Be a lamp to yourself and others, a single lamp can light a thousand other lamps, which are part of the traditional wisdom. The stalk of grain signifies agriculture, the first sign of culture. Agriculture marks the evolution from food gathering to food production and the birth of civilization. The mountain symbolises the forest, natural flora, fauna, minerals and industry of Odisha. The ramparts of the fort signify Odisha’s past military achievements. The ship signifies Odisha’s rich maritime heritage. 'सत्यं परं धीमहि', the aphorism adopted by the university means ‘Meditate on the Highest Truth'.