SAMANTA CHANDRA SEKHAR COLLEGE

INTRODUCTION:
Samanta Chandra Sekhar College, Puri , better known as SCS College, is one of the premier institutions of the state devoted to the cause of higher education, is a college in Puri in Orissa, India that offers courses at primarily the higher secondary and under-graduate levels. The courses at the higher secondary level are affiliated to the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Orissa, and courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate level are offered in affiliation with Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Orissa. It is an autonomous institution recognised by the University Grant Commission (UGC) of India, and enjoys the status of an A-Grade college as assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), an autonomous institution for assessment of educational institutions established by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Situated in the holy city of Puri this citadel of learning had its modest inception as Puri College in the year 1944, which initially functioned in the building of Puri Zilla School. Gradually in a span of five years this college became one of the most prestigious institutions of the state attracting a large number of students from all over the state, because of high standard of teaching-learning package offered by the teaching faculty. Needless to say that the picturesque landscape of Puri lapped by the Bay of Bengal and nestled by lush green coconut, cashew and casuarinas groves lend this college the most serene and tranquil environment so conducive to any meaningful scholastic pursuits. The State Government most appropriately rechristened the college as Samanta Chandra Sekhar College as a fitting tribute to the eminent Odia Astro-scientist Mahamohopadhyaya Chandra Sekhar Singh Samanta (1835-1934), who remains a constant source of inspiration for our young students. His bronze bust installed in front of the college continues to encourage and enlighten the young minds to strive to fathom as yet unexplored areas of knowledge and not to yield.

INFRASTRUCTURE:
There has been considerable development in the infrastructure and learning resources over the years. The physical infrastructure consists of the E shaped main building of the college where the teaching departments, one central library, the administrative block and four lecture theatres including a magnificent Hall provide enough space for

class, conference and seminars. In addition to this an auditorium has been built where different cultural functions can be organized. The college has 4 boys hostels, 2 ladies hostels, one post office, and one bank in its campus. In the campus there is a wonderful playground with a gallery and dressing room where students utilize their leisure time in playing different games and two beautiful gardens as the beauty of the college. The college has a computer centre, which is a valuable aid in the teaching-learning process. Almost All the departments are also provided with computers to transmit intellectual information to the students and the staff. Other infrastructure and learning resources include laboratories in Science departments and in the department of Psychology, Education and Geography with latest instruments, laboratory equipment and test materials. The Athletic Association of this college organizes in-campus and intercollegiate tournaments and train and guides the student athletes and players to participate in intercollegiate tournaments. As per state government rules due weightage is given to students having more than ordinary achievements for admission to the college. The Dramatic Association, Cultural forum, Reading Room, IGNOU centre add to the facilities to this college. The existing infrastructure is utilised to the optimum level, such as, the Auditorium, the College Hall and the Seminar Libraries are not only used for in-house activities but also for cultural activities. The college has large spacious class rooms properly lit and ventilated and has separate spacious well-equipped laboratories for the subjects having practical facilities. The college has its own Computer centre for imparting teaching courses at B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. in Computer Science. Besides, there is a Joint Venture Computer Centre approved by Govt. of Orissa, which is meant to impart extra computer skilled programme beneficial to get jobs. Further, the college has undertaken the plan for interconnectivity. College also provides Internet facilities for students and teachers at different points of the college. There is the provision of health care facilities for students and all other staff members of the college, which is located at Youth Red Cross Room. The College has a Canteen, which provides snacks, lunch, hot and soft drinks to the staff and students of the college at concessional rates. The college is proud of its central library, which has an excellent collection of books, journals and other reading materials. Financial assistance: National Scholarship Merit Scholarship Sports Scholarship Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Post-Matric Scholarship Hindi Merit Scholarship Teachers Son Scholarship Free Studentship

 Students Aid Fund Scholarship to S.C./S.T. students *In addition to this the girl students are exempted from tuition fees.

DEPARTMENTS: The college runs three streams, namely: Science, Arts, and Commerce. Faculty of Science: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Anthropology, Botany, Zoology, Statistics, Computer science. Faculty of Arts: Anthropology, English, Economics, Education, Geography, History, Hindi, Mathematics, Oriya, Philosophy, Political science, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics, Sanskrit. Faculty Of Commerce: Commerce The college follows the conventional examination and evaluation system. It has been the practice that examinations are held as per schedule and results are published without undue delay. The evaluation mode followed by the college is central valuation by both external and internal examiners in the case of undergraduate courses and external and internal evaluation for postgraduate programmes. At the post-graduate level a better alternative is to subject every script to one external and one internal evaluation. This is a more universally adopted practice in colleges of Indian Universities. In order to make the mechanism transparent and fair revaluation should be made available. In recreation and leisure time the students refresh their mind in engaging themselves in various indoor and outdoor games provided by the Common Room Association of this college. This Association along with the Dramatic Association and Athletic Association provides recreational benefit to students by organising cultural, dramatic, musical functions of different varieties along with sports and athletic events. RESEARCH AND EXTENSION: Most of the faculties of this institution are involved in active research work. Since project work has been incorporated in the syllabi of Final Degree Honours and P.G. Programmes each faculty is guiding their students in pursuing their research work. Besides, with the financial assistance of UGC, NCERT and ICSSR at present 12 teachers have undertaken major and minor research projects. During the last couple of years a sizeable number of faculty members have been awarded the Ph.D. degree. A good number of teachers of this institution are also guiding some research scholars for the award of Ph.D. in varied disciplines.

Besides the research activities, this institution has been engaged in a number of extension activities. The broad areas of such activities are NSS, NCC, Youth Red Cross and Rovers & Rangers manned by dedicated teachers of this college. Student volunteers under the banner of such schemes render valuable and need based social service activities during different festive occasions and socio-cultural congregations besides normal social services.

OBJECTIVE OF THE TOPIC:

With its mission to provide the benefits of higher education to the younger population of the State, to foster economic growth, to study, preserve and enrich the socio-cultural tradition of the region and explore and utilize the natural resources of this state for the benefit and the betterment of mankind at large, this college has made significant contribution since its inception. A recent survey of the Alumni shows that thousands of pass-outs from this college are scattered all over the country, who are the key persons who matter and who look upon this college as their sacred Alma mater. Initially this college started as an Intermediate college with teaching provisions in Economics, History, Mathematics, Logic and Sanskrit as optional subjects and English and Oriya as compulsory Modern Indian Language. With the introduction of Degree Class in 1946 this college was elevated to the status of a first grade college in this state with provision of teaching in Honours in History, Philosophy, English, Economics and Mathematics. Intermediate classes in Science have also been started in the same year. In 1956 degree in science were introduced. Subsequently provisions for offering Honours teaching in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics were made available. Studies in Bioscience were introduced in the curriculum in the year 1964 and Zoology in 1968. Gradually due to a steady rise in student intake and the need to expand the study curriculum made the authorities introduce study packages in Political Science, History, Education, Psychology, Geography and Commerce along with post-graduate teaching facilities in English, Commerce and Zoology. Thus the wide spectrum of study package offered by this college helped the students to tune themselves into the pursuits of not only socio-economic-cultural studies but also exploring new dimensions in scientific studies. The College has also by now equipped itself with significant ground work to groom the students to advance their pursuits in thrust areas of higher education in Engineering, Medicine and country level competitive examinations and to acquire the palpable visibility necessary for surging ahead. The colleges aim is not only to excel in studies but also in other fields. The college has two playgrounds and one gymnasium to cater the needs of the students and other cultural organisation of Puri town. Already various national level competitions have been undertaken. Last year the national level Wrestling Championship was undertaken here. The Gymnasium is equipped with sophisticated equipment for exercise, which are made available both for students and lecturers. It acts as a health centre for students and teachers.

CONCLUSION:
Samanta Chandra Sekhar born in a royal family of feudatory State of Khandapada and left governance and kingship in favour of higher research in Astrophysics to satisfy his thirst for knowledge. The Sidhanta Darpan which is the final result of his research findings brought him International fame which was recognised by the British Government and he was conferred the title of Mahamohopadhaya. The College is only following the path craved by the great man. Since its inception in 1944 for paving the way towards the creation of Utkal University as a fully fledged citadel of learning, this institution has the credit of monumental contribution to the State and the country in every field of life. This college has the credit of giving four Chief Secretaries to the States of Orissa, one to Gujrat, one to Maharastra, one to West Bengal and Director General of Police to any States of the country. Four illustrious alumni of this institution have occupied high positions in the Central Secretariat to the Govt. of India. At present two sitting Judges of the Orissa High Court are the product of this college. We have given two Speaker to Orissa Legislative Assembly, more than four ministers to the State Legislature and Union Parliament.