In an historic and maiden effort to relieve the student community in distress during the troubled time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central University of Odisha organized the virtual launching Ceremony of Bharosa and its Helpline Number 08046801010. Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Union HRD Minister, launched the Helpline that aims at providing Cognitive Emotional Rehabilitation Services to all University Students of Odisha. Amongst the dignitaries present were Dr. Arun Kumar Sahoo, Hon’ble Minister, Dept of Higher Education, Government of Odisha, Shri Amit Khare, Secretary, Higher Education, MHRD, Shri Saswat Mishra, Commissioner cum Secretary, Government of Odisha, Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, Joint Secretary, Higher Education, MHRD. The programme was coordinated by Prof I Ramabrahmam, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Odisha.

At the outset, the Vice Chancellor welcomed Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, the Union HRD Minister and other guests and highlighted the major features and services of the CUOs Helpline ‘Bharosa’ that seeks to address the problems of distressed students in the wake of COVID-19. He reiterated the fact that the CUO Helpline ‘Bharosa’ addresses the concerns of any student of any University in Odisha and added that over 400 calls have been received in the Pilot phase of the CUO Helpline. Shri Madhusudan Mishra, Collector and District Magistrate, Koraput was instrumental in Piloting the ‘Bharosa’ initiative of CUO before its formal launch today.

Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in his inaugural launching speech elaborated the point that the nation was going through a difficult phase due to the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic and appreciated the Government of India’s efforts to contain the epidemic under the dynamic leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. Shri Nishank also lauded the efforts that are being made by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister in offering his guidance to the educational institutions of Odisha. He outlined the efforts of the Ministry of HRD in safeguarding the future of students. He emphasized on the steps taken with regard to the new academic calendar and virtual mode of education. He asserted that the mental health concern of the students is of great importance and the Helpline launched by the Central University of Odisha is a great step towards that. He formally launched the Helpline and announced its number for the benefit of the students and their parents, amongst others. The Union Minister extended his best wishes to the dignitaries present in the Helpline launching function including the Vice Chancellors, Heads of Institutions, Registrars and Faculty of various institutions in Odisha. He also urged the Central and State Universities and other Institutions of Higher Education across the country to emulate the Bharosa initiative.

Dr. Arun Kumar Sahoo, Hon’ble Minister, Dept of Higher Education, Government of Odisha lauded the efforts of the Central University of Odisha and expressed hope that it will help the students in distress during COVID-19.

Dr. Meena Hariharan, President, Association of Health Psychologists, the collaborating agency with CUO in BHAROSA, congratulated the CUO on the launching of the Helpline. Prof. Ms. Jamuna, Vice Chancellor, Padmavati Mahila Viswavidyalayam, Dr A K Das, Registrar, CUO, Prof P Durga Prasad, Prof Hem Raj Meena, Dr R K Parhi, DSW I/C, Dr Phagunath Bhoi, PRO, CUO were present along with Prof I Ramabrahmam, VC, CUO in the Helpline launching function at CUO campus. The Volunteer Faculty & Research scholars of Bharosa and other officials & faculty of CUO participated in virtual mode of interaction.