Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday approved establishment of Odisha Paika Academy and Research Centre in Khordha district.
The Chief Minister has expressed his hope that the centre will be very helpful in spreading Paika culture and tradition across the nation and abroad.
The centre will be developed like the State Government’s Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre under the Department of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture, according to a press release issued by the CMO.
Special arrangements will be made at the centre to impart education through special courses and training along with research facilities. In addition to these, scholarships will also be provided to students.
The centre will temporarily operate at Gada Khordha initially.
The Chief Minister has directed the Khordha District Collector to identify a proper place for the establishment of the permanent centre and issue the DPR as soon as possible.
It is worth mentioning that in 1817, the Paika Rebellion was organized under the leadership of Bakshi Jagbandhu in Khordha. Historians are of the opinion that this was the country’s first rebellion against the British rule. The Chief Minister said that the Odisha Paika Academy and Research Centre will pave the way for further research in this direction by keeping alive this great Paika tradition.
Notably, Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian met the members of various Paika organizations during his visit to Khordha district last month. He held discussions regarding the protection and propagation of Paika tradition. Pandian described the Paika tradition as a glorious chapter in the history of Odisha and said that necessary steps would be taken to protect it. Later, he discussed this matter with the Chief Minister.