Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated the First ‘Biswa Odia Bhasha Sammilani’ (World Odia Language Conference) here at Janata Maidan on 3 February.
Mega event was opened with the singing of ‘Bande Utkala Janani’, the State Anthem .
All those joined the Meet, across the State and abroad joined the festival of Odia language by singing the State anthem at the same time.
Employees of different government organisations, school and college students, Police and Non Resident Odias recited the melodious anthem during the inauguration.
The grand occasion witnessed the participation of 40,000 students from Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), who joined together in harmony to melodiously sing Odisha’s State Anthem, ‘Bande Utkal Janani.’
Students from the KISS-Bolangir, KISS-Mayurbhanj, KISS-Kalahandi, and KISS-Balasore campuses synchronized their voices with those of their counterparts at the KISS Bhubaneswar campus.
The inspiring moment unfolded as the students strategically positioned themselves on a human map that mirrored the geographical contours of Odisha, and passionately sang the patriotic anthem.
Chief Minister Shri Patnaik said his government will accept the recommendations of the conference and formulate a dedicated language policy for the state, which will pave the way for the future development of Odia language.
Modern culture and technology has an impact on the language. Therefore, there is a need for detailed discussion on all aspects of the language. There should be a thorough dialogue on the creation of good literature and for better use of the Odia language, CM advised.
Expressing pleasure over the recognition of Odia language as a classical language, Shri Patnaik said that language is the future. The state government has set up Odia University for the development of Odia language and promoting Odia language study.
Shri Patnaik said, “Today we have all come together on one stage for the Odia language. Odias residing in India and abroad have also joined in the conference. Renowned Odia writers and researchers have also participated in it. It is a glorious time for Odia language and literature.”
He appealed to all to work together for the development of Odia language.
Eminent Linguist Debi Prasanna Pattanayak was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to Odia language and linguistics. He has been felicitated with a memento and cash award of Rs 20 lakh by Shri Patnaik.
Chief Minister also felicitated eminent authors, Pratibha Ray and Sitakanta Mahapatra during the Ceremony.
The conference, which will continue till February 5, will have different sessions and a special session on Shree Jagannath consciousness.
Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Ashwini Kumar Patra attended the program and said that this conference is an introduction to Odia’s identity. The approach of this conference is to popularize the classical language Odia and how to take the language forward through the application of science and technology.
A walk-through museum has also been set up to showcase the history of Odia language. International delegation from four countries, language experts from different parts of India and 20 Odia associations are attending the conference, said Sujata Rout Karthikeyan, Secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department.
The recommendations and outputs of the conference will be implemented by the State Government, Shrimati Sujata said.
The Secretary also said that this conference is a festival and celebration of language for all of us today. Today, transformation is underway in Odisha and language plays a vital role in the process. That is why the Chief Minister has organized this World Odia Language Conference for the glory of the Odia language.
The theme of this conference is ‘Language is the Future’. Today, more than 100 scholars including linguists from 4 countries have gathered at this mega meet. She hoped that they would show direction for the growth of Odia language through the application of technology.
In his speech Debi Prasanna Pattanayak said, “I have been honoured in many places abroad. But today’s honour is the greatest honour of my life.”
Sitakanta Mohapatra said that the future of the Odia language is very bright. Language literature has a need not only for self-satisfaction but also to create a readership. Today’s conference is a welcome step for the growth of Odia language literature, Dr. Mohapatra said.
