Bhubaneswar, May 11 (IANS) Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Monday launched a helpline of the Central University of Odisha (CUO) to help students who are under mental distress due to the ongoing lockdown.

The CUO organised the virtual launching ceremony of ‘Bharosa' and its helpline number 08046801010 through a video conference.

Pokhriyal lauded the Bharosa initiative as it aims to provide mental and psychological assistance to the students of the institute.

He asserted that the mental health concerns of the students are of great importance and the helpline is a great step towards addressing them.

He also urged the central and state universities and other institutions of higher education across the country to emulate the Bharosa initiative.

Odisha Higher Education Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo lauded the efforts of the Central University of Odisha and expressed hope that it will help the students in distress amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

CUO Vice Chancellor I. Ramabrahmam highlighted the major features and services of the helpline which seeks to address the problems of distressed students in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak.

--IANS cd/arm