The Union Minister suggested renaming Ravenshaw University, one of the oldest institutes in the country. Located in Odisha, it is named after British bureaucrat Thomas Edward Ravenshaw.
- The devastating Odisha famine of 1866 had taken place during the tenure of TE Raveneshaw.
About Odisha Famine (1866):
- The Odisha famine of 1866, also called the “Na-Anka Famine,” was a catastrophic event that severely affected the region, leading to the death of approximately one-third of Odisha’s population.
- The famine occurred during the ninth regnal year of Gajapati Divyasinghadeva and was marked by its devastating impact on the local population.
- Odisha, then isolated from the rest of India, was particularly vulnerable due to its dependence on the winter rice crop, which failed due to a poor monsoon in 1865.
Causes:
- Natural Disasters: The primary cause of the famine was a severe drought caused by a poor monsoon that ended earlier than usual in 1865, leading to a failed rice harvest.
- Administrative Neglect: The British administrators, particularly the Bengal Board of Revenue, made inaccurate assessments of the situation. They underestimated the need for relief and were misled by inaccurate price lists, failing to recognize the severity of the crisis until it was too late.
- Isolation: Odisha’s isolation from other regions made it difficult to transport food and other resources, exacerbating the famine’s impact.
Aftermath:
- Death Toll: The famine resulted in the deaths of at least one million people in Odisha, representing around one-third of the population at the time.
- Infrastructure Development: In response to the famine, the Puri Canal or Coast Canal was constructed, connecting the Hooghly River in West Bengal to the River Matai in Odisha, aimed at improving transportation and irrigation.
- Educational Reforms: Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, the then-Commissioner of Odisha, took steps to improve education in the region. He established numerous vernacular schools with a focus on the Odia language and transformed the Cuttack Zilla School into Ravenshaw College.
Ref: Source
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Frequently Asked Question:
What was the Odisha famine of 1866?
The Odisha famine of 1866, also called the Na-Anka Famine, was a catastrophic event that led to massive loss of life in Odisha.
What is the significance of monsoon failures in Indian famines?
Monsoon failures are a common cause of historical famines in India, as they lead to poor crop yields and subsequent food shortages.
What infrastructure development followed the Odisha famine?
The Puri Canal or Coast Canal was constructed to improve transportation and irrigation in response to the famine.