Prof. Kishor Basa, Er. Ashok Basa Call on President at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Prof. Kishor Basa, Chairman National Monuments Authority, Government of India and his twin Brother Er. Ashok Basa, Chair Strategic Planning Committee World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), Former Executive Vice President (WFEO) and Former President, Institution of Engineers (India) called on President of India Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today in New Delhi.

During the course of the meeting, Prof. Kishor Basa apprised the President of India regarding issues related to Cultural and Tribal Development of Odisha. He requested the President for establishment of a National Institute of Tribal Development (NITD) at Rairangpur in the district of Mayurbhanj under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, considering the strategic location of Rairangpur as well as concentration of tribal population of Odisha as well as the neighboring states of Jharkhand and West Bengal in the region. He suggested that the Institute may be modelled after the National Institute of Rural Development in Hyderabad.

Prof. Basa also sought the attention of Hon’ble President for cultural preservation of the Jhumar Song and Dance form, which is recognized as an important Intangible Cultural Heritage. Jhumar symbolizes a cultural integration of tribes and castes in the major geographical region extending from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand to West Bengal and Assam. Prof. Basa stressed upon the need for recognition of this song and dance form by establishing a National Centre for Jhumar at Baripada, Mayurbhanj under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. He also requested the Hon’ble President for bringing the Archaeological Museum at Khiching under the Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India for better preservation, display and promotion. At present, the Museum is functioning under the Government of Odisha.

In the meeting, Er. Ashok Basa apprised the Hon’ble President regarding the alarming issue of Global Scarcity of Water. He submitted that the United Nations Organization (UNO) has already launched the ‘Water Action Decade 2018-2028’, in addition to keeping the role of water in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6,11,13 and 14. He stressed upon that, the basic purpose of such importance given by UNO was to create public awareness for tackling water scarcity and managing water usage, including addressing the challenges related to water by promoting sustainable and integrated management of water resources.

Er. Basa sought the attention of Hon’ble President on the fact that India is facing its worst ever water crisis, which would result in 6% loss of India’s GDP by 2050. India’s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply by 2030, which will lead to severe water scarcity. Under these circumstances, he submitted the President regarding the need for proper governance for management of water resources of the country. He requested the President for initiating a pilot project on Water Resources Management in Odisha, which would involve creating a State Water Management Authority in Odisha responsible for restructuring of water policy. Upon successful implementation in Odisha, the same could be replicated in other States of the nation. A detailed note in this regard, addressed to the Hon’ble President of India was submitted by Er. Basa.

Prof. Kishor Basa & Er. Ashok Basa expressed their sincere gratitude to the President of India for giving them the opportunity to share their ideas, in person, in the greater interest of the Nation.