“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”. Perhaps this thought of Frederick Douglas might have inspired the great people of Jharsuguda who thought of building an educational Jim here. An “educational Jim” in the sense, a college, a higher educational institution that has to build the strong mind, body and spirit of the young children of the locality.

It was the auspicious day of 18th August 1969, almost four decades ago, the foundation stone of a new institution was laid. The sincere efforts of some of the educational activists of an educationally backward area of Western Odisha was bearing fruit to bring about remarkable changes in the educational history of the district. Jharsuguda, then a Tehsil of the undivided Sambalpur district was known as the commercial hub of Western Odisha. As a railway junction it was the link station between different parts of India & as such had an important position in the railway map. People from different parts of the country settled here. But to their utter disappointment it was without a college. So many of the meritorious but poor students of the locality had to remain 'drops outs' after matriculation. Consequently, a few local gentries in & around the town of Jharsuguda were inspired with the lofty dream of having an ideally unique college for the young and enthusiastic cravers of learning The tireless striving of illustrious personalities like Sri Ganesh Patel, Late Sri Ishwari Prasad Patel, Dr Narayan Shankar Behera, Sri Hemananda Biswal, the then Panchanyat Samiti Chairman, Jharsuguda coupled with the kind co-operation of Sri Murari Prasad Mishra, the then Forest Minister of Odisha, Laxmi Narayan College came into being with the inaugural ceremony on the 18 August 1969 in the august presence of Dr A N. Khosla, the then Governor of Odisha, Late Sri R. N. Singhdeo, the then Chief Minister of the State, Late Sri Harihar Patel, the then Industry Minister, Govt. of Orissa, Late Sri Banamali Patnaik the then Education Minister, Govt. of Orissa and other gentlemen. The Ministry of Industry was kind enough to handover the unfinished hostel building of the Engineering School to be used as the college building with a token rent of one rupee per annum. The authorities of the Engineering School were magnanimous enough to extend their co-operation by way of lending furniture and allowing some of their teachers to take classes in the college. They further displayed their generosity in allowing the science students to carry on practical classes in their laboratories.

Gradually, L. N. CoIlege started growing with new leaves, buds, flowers and fruits under the tender care of father figures like Prof. P. C. Mohapatra, the first Principal, Kendra Sahitya Academy award-winner poet laureate Sri Binod Chandra Naik and others. The honour of being the first president (ex-officio) of the college goes to Sri S. N. Panda, O.A.S, SDO, Sambalpur.

In 1975, Dr Krupasindhu Bhoi, the then Minister of Mines granted a sum of One Lakh to construct a hostel building. Presently, consequent upon our handing over, the building is with the Collector, Jharsuguda district. Presently it is a full-fledged non-government aided institution of the Government of Odisha capable of producing hundreds of responsible citizens every year. With thousands of students and hundreds of employees in its fold it imparts teaching in Arts, Science and Commerce both in + 2 and + 3 stage with Honours teaching facilities in almost all branches of the above streams.

We know money matters much in our life. Thus we are sincere in opening courses, which will enable students to earn while they learn. But money is not the 'be all' and 'end all' of life. Thus the institution is on a path to make 'man'. The college, with its rich cultural and literary heritage, aims at providing quality education by inculcating social, cultural and moral values and moulding the conduct and character of students so as to enable them to face the challenges in real life situations. The vision and mission of the college is enshrined in the college crest, college calendar and also highlighted in the introduction meeting meant for the freshers.

It has improved, is improving and ought to improve and this solely depends on the integrity and discipline of the student community, sincerity and honesty of the members of the staff and ungrudging support and whole hearted co-operation of the locality is general. May the Lord Almighty bless us in making our Alma Mater more benevolent and benign. Our Crest is the true reflection of our motto - the mission with which the institution stands. At the top it is inscribed in Devnagari Script ‘VIDYAMEVA JYOTIH'. Vidya or learning is that jyoti or light which dispels the darkness of ignorance. In addition to such writing there is a lamp in the crest which tells us not only to accumulate and acquire learning but to enlighten others too.

By acquiring knowledge one can not only enriches oneself but also enlightens others. One must rise above selfishness, jealously and greed to come for the emancipation of others at the cost of one's own suffering. The lamp burns but shows path to the people around it.

We regard our institution as a temple - a temple of learning, where idols are not worshiped but books are. Books are our companions. They redeem us, show us path even in the dark corridors of life. And thus there is a book in the crest. In the modern age, the economic growth of a country depends mainly on heavy industries. Soon after independence, Nehru, our first Prime minister emphasised much on the growth of industry sector. A wheel along with the smoke coming out of the chimney is suggestive of this motto. Behind the wheel there is a rising Sun emitting rays of light - that is our live building which radiates light of knowledge day in and day out. It reminds us of the Upanisada saying "Tamaso ma Jyotirgamaya". Jharsuguda happens to be agricultural belt and to represent the occupation of the vast majority people of the locality a bunch of corn gets a place in the crest. This is the age of science and technology. Due importance is laid on the teaching of science and as such a beaker, a petro and a star fish occupy important place in the crest. In the foot of the crest there lies a blooming lotus, symbol of purity and eternal bliss. It is the fountain of inspiration for different types of people irrespective of their social and economic strata they come from. Lotus rises from the dirt and mud & reaches to the feet of the Lord.

The Person after whom the Institution is named is Laxmi Narayan Mishra (11.04.1904 – 30.05.1961). He was an illustrious son of the soil not only known in this locality but the entire state of Odisha. History remembers him as a patriot. He was a man with genuine humanity, a scholar with undoubted brilliance, a politician knowing no compromise with principle, a revolutionary with an undaunted spirit is remembered with high esteem. His contribution will remain inscribed in the annals of the history not only towards Freedom Movement but also towards the emancipation of the downtrodden mass. We are proud to be a part of the institution named after him. We promise to take the legacy of such great son of the soil to the future generations.

Laxminarayan College is going to complete its glorious fifty years in the year 2019. We have a vision 2019 when it will truly become an epitome of knowledge and learning. Today also we can proudly say that it has indeed grown from a seedling into a big tree that has not only sheltered thousands of youngsters but also has moulded them into great personalities. Since a large number of students come from economically weaker section of society, we try to imbibe in them good values so that they become responsible citizens of our country. The college aims at catering to the academic excellence of the students by providing them with facilities to develop their inherent talents. In its continuous efforts to impart quality education, L.N. College has received NAAC accreditation with B grade in February 2009. Now the institution in the process of the second cycle in accreditation.