Bhubaneswar: In a bold move to uphold the prestige of the Odia language and the spirit of Odia Asmita, Shri Indramani Tripathy, the Labour Commissioner of Odisha, has spearheaded a massive awareness campaign across the capital city. This initiative is part of the state-wide Odia Pakhya 2026 celebrations, spanning from Odisha Day on April 1 to Odia New Year on April 14.
Leading from the front, Shri Tripathy officially inaugurated a grand padayatra (procession) that stretched from Lower PMG to the Office of the Labour Commissioner. Over 200 participants joined the march, pledging to promote the native language in everyday commerce and public life. The primary focus of this drive is to ensure that all shops and commercial establishments across the state prominently display their signboards in Odia.
While addressing the gathering, Shri Tripathy emphasized that our language is our identity and our pride. He announced that departmental officers would be conducting intensive field visits from April 4 to April 7, 2026. During these visits, officials will interact with business owners, requesting those without proper Odia signage to update their nameplates accurately and clearly. He stressed that ensuring the use of the Odia language at workplaces is a collective responsibility for every citizen.
The Commissioner also highlighted the legal framework supporting this cultural push. Under Section 35 of the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, it is mandatory for businesses to display signboards in Odia. Shri Tripathy reminded stakeholders that non-compliance carries strict financial penalties. First-time offenders face fines ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 rupees, while subsequent violations can attract penalties between 10,000 and 20,000 rupees.
The event saw the participation of several high-ranking officials, including Additional Labour Commissioner Madan Mohan Paik and Joint Labour Commissioners Bighnajit Mahanta Mohapatra and Bharati Sitha.
This overdrive by the Labour & ESI Department, under the leadership of Shri Tripathy, marks a decisive step in integrating the Odia language into the economic heartbeat of the state, ensuring that the legacy of the land is visible on every storefront.