Linguists and Litterateurs Thank Govt for Organizing First World Odia Language Conference

Bhubaneswar: Eminent linguists and litterateurs have thanked the Odisha Government for organizing the first ever Biswa Odia Bhasa Sammilani (World Odia Language Conference), which is scheduled to be held from February 3.

The senior officers held a discussion with the linguists and litterateurs on the conference.

Presiding over the meeting, R. Balakrishnan, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister, expressed that the conference will deliberate on past, present and future of Odia language. As the conference is being organized for the first time in the state, he sought everyone’s cooperation.

Sujata Rout Karthikeyan, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary of Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, said that such a historic step has been taken as per the decision of the Heritage Cabinet on the advice of the Chief Minister.

The efforts of the linguists towards the promotion and propagation of Odia language are commendable, she said.

In order to promote Odia language, the Government is taking steps to set up library in each panchayat. The women, who have made commendable contribution to Odia literature and culture would be felicitated at the conference, she added.

In the meeting, the linguists, litterateurs and classical dance exponents have suggested for the introduction of ‘jhoti’ (rangoli) on Odia alphabets in educational institutions, popularising ancient literature, publishing textbooks on contemporary Odia literature, promoting child literature and translating books of other languages to Odia.

The first ever World Odia Language Conference is going to be held for three days from February 3 at Janata Maidan to discuss the various aspects of the Odia language, which has gained the status of one of the classical languages in the country.

Historians, linguists, researchers, intellectuals and individuals, who have gained expertise in various fields, will participate in this conference and share their insights about the glorious past and future relevance of the Odia language.