New Delhi: The Ministry Of Education has approved a proposal for setting up of a chair at University of Delhi in the name of Bhima Bhoi, the legendary saint, poet and philosopher from Odisha.

In its letter to the University of Delhi’s Registrar, University Grants Commission (UGC) Joint Secretary Jitendra K. Tripathi stated the University may create the Chair by utilizing the already available vacant positions and other recurring expenditure, which may be charged to the funds already being released to the University.

The Commission approved the proposal submitted by the University of Delhi for establishment of a chair in the name of Bhima Bhoi on March 10, 2022.

Also, another chair in the name of Bhima Bhoi at Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in Bilaspur of Chhattisgarh has been approved by the Commission.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed the decision of the UGC to approve for establishment of the Chair at the two universities.

.@ugc_india ଦ୍ୱାରା @UnivofDelhi ଏବଂ @ggv_smc ଠାରେ ଭୀମ ଭୋଇ ଚେୟାର ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠା ପାଇଁ ଅନୁମତି ଦିଆଯିବା ସ୍ୱାଗତଯୋଗ୍ୟ । ମହିମା ଧର୍ମର ମହାନ ପ୍ରଚାରକ ସନ୍ଥ କବି ଭୀମ ଭୋଇ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ସାହିତ୍ୟ ଓ ଧାର୍ମିକ-ସାମାଜିକ ଜୀବନକୁ ଗଭୀର ଭାବେ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ କରିଛନ୍ତି । https://t.co/Dbp7yhL7oX

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) April 6, 2022

Bhima Bhoi was a saint, poet and philosopher from Odisha in India during the 19th century. He was a devotee of Mahima Swamy, who propagated Mahima Dharma that challenged the authority of caste in Hinduism on its own terms.

Bhima Bhoi’s assertion "mo jeevana pachhe narke padithau, jagata uddhara heu" (let my life remain inglorious, let the world achieve salvation) showcases his dedication towards upliftment of the socially deprived.