Bhubaneswar: In a poignant tribute to linguistic identity, Viswa Matrubhasha Diwas was celebrated today at the Sanskruti Bhavan conference hall in Bhubaneswar, organized through the collaborative efforts of the Institute of Odia Studies and Research and the Odisha Sahitya Akademi.
The event commenced with a welcoming address by Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture. He highlighted the innovative initiatives undertaken by the department to promote and preserve the Odia language, emphasizing that our mother tongue is the very soul of our community.
Dr.Upadhyaya reminded the audience that it was the shared bond of the Odia language that led to the creation of Odisha as a separate state. Dr. Upadhyaya noted that language, literature, and society are inextricably linked; while language allows for the deepest expression of thought, literature acts as a mirror reflecting the realities of our society.
Renowned linguist Padmashree Antaryami Mishra and esteemed children’s author Dash Benhur shared their insights, stressing the urgent need for high-quality research and global promotion of Odia literature. They called upon the younger generation to take pride in their linguistic roots and contribute to the vision of a developed and prosperous Odisha by making the Odia language known on the world stage.
To mark the significance of the day, several competitions including essay writing, oratory, and correct Odia calligraphy were organized for college students. The talented winners in each category were honored with cash prizes of 1500, 1200, and 1000 rupees respectively, along with certificates of merit.
The gathering was attended by several dignitaries, including Shri Deba Prasad Dash, Director of the Institute of Odia Studies and Research; Dr. Chandra Sekhar Hota, Secretary of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi; and Dr. Siddharth Shankar Padhi, Officer on Special Duty at the Institute of Odia Studies and Research, all of whom joined in the collective pledge to keep the essence of the Odia language thriving for generations to come.