Aska Science College, Ganjam

Campus Location: Ganjam

Located in Aska has occupied a significant position for centuries in the history of Ganjam. Located centrally in the district, it has taken pivotal role in the socioeconomic and political arena of the State. It has the proud privilege of having earned the distinction of pioneering and spearheading freedom movement and cooperative movement in the State. The selfless sacrifices of the freedom fighters culminated gloriously in achieving freedom for our country. Much earlier to it, in the 19th century, Aska had the distinction of being the torch bearer of cooperative movement having successfully established the first Multipurpose Cooperative Society and Sugar Industry in Asia.Post independence India witnessed revolutionary growth of higher education. Orissa came under its grip in the sixties and new universities sprang up in 1967. The conscious people of Aska, with their glorious cultural heritage and achievements of yester years, guided by a capable intelligentsia rose up to the occasion to contribute their mite for the educational expansion. The farmers of Aska, who had earned different achievements since centuries joined hands for another achievement in the sector of Higher Education. This resulted in an institution of higher learning -Krushaka Samabaya Bigyana Mahavidyalaya, which blinked in the educational horizon of the State on 12th July 1968. This institution has the unique distinction of having been established by generous donations of the cane growers in and around Aska which was amply reflected in its name. The then prevailing thrust area of national education policy was on science education. The pioneers of the College channelised their efforts to the national main stream and in a bid to popularise science in the location and to obtain financial assistance from U.G.C. renamed the College as Aska Science College., It may appear incomplete without due reference to the pioneers responsible for the herculion task of establishment, growth and development, of this College. Sri Duti Krishna Panda, Advocate and farmers' leader of the area, was made the President and Late Chandra Sekhara Mishra, the then Secretary of The Central Cooperative Bank was made the Secretary of the first Managing Committee with a galaxy of prominent personalities like Late Harihar Das, the then M.L.A., Kabiraj Krushna Chandra Tripathy, the founder of Utkal Ayurvedic Pharmacy, Smt. Sailabala Padhy, Sri Padmanava Singh Deo, Late Sarat Chandra Panda and many other as members of the managing committee. The efforts of Sri D. K. Panda who is also the President of the Cane growers' Association of Ganjam convinced the cane growers to donate one percent of their income for the college resulting in a collection of Rs. 1,30,000-00 which helped the college stride over the initial financial stringency. The untiring efforts of Late Harihar Das blended peoples ambitions, aspiration and money into a single purpose that is for the college. The Aska Multi purpose Cooperative Society made substantial financial contributions to ensure smooth functioning of the college., People's will without proper and effective administrative support would not have materialised into such a grand success. The necessary administrative support was ungrudgingly accorded by Late Banamali Patnaik, the then Education Minister of Orissa, Sri R. C. Patra, I.A.S., the then Collector, Ganjam and Sri P. C. Hota, I.A.S., the then Managing Director of Aska Cooperative Sugar Industries Ltd. All those efforts were efficiently and effectively coordinated for the development of the College by Capt. G. K. Padhy, O.E.S. the first Principal of the College. Sri R. C. Patro, I.A.S. ,Collector, Ganjam became the President of Managing Committee in 1968. The trend and tempo of development has since been maintained by their successors., The College started functioning in a rented house, but soon under public demand it was shifted to a govt. building belonging to the Girl's High School. The College started facing problem of accommodation consequent upon its gradual growth. At about this time, the Higher Secondary School of Science and Technology, Kotinada was about to be closed and its hostel building was lying vacant. Initiative was taken up with the leadership of Late Harihar Das, the then M.L.A. of Aska and strong patronage of Sri Somanath Rath, the three storied hostel building of the school was handed over to the College. The College shifted from the heart of the town to the out skirts on 08-07-1976 and the new building was inaugurated by Sri Jadunath Das Mahapatra, the then Education Minister of Orissa. Subsequently, it was expanded to another adjacent two-storied building which was also lying abandoned., Aska has occupied a significant position for centuries in the history of Ganjam. Located centrally in the district, it has taken pivotal role in the socioeconomic and political arena of the State. It has the proud privilege of having earned the distinction of pioneering and spearheading freedom movement and cooperative movement in the State. The selfless sacrifices of the freedom fighters culminated gloriously in achieving freedom for our country. Much earlier to it, in the 19th century, Aska had the distinction of being the torch bearer of cooperative movement having successfully established the first Multipurpose Cooperative Society and Sugar Industry in Asia.. Use Google Maps for turn-by-turn driving directions to the campus.