First International Conclave of Odia Language in New Delhi

A two day conclave to celebrate the first anniversary of classical status to Odia language got concluded here yesterday evening with speakers unanimously saying that knowledge from ancient languages are of immense benefit for nation building. Speakers including Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as Chief guest, All India Congress Committee Secretary and former Rajyasabha MP Ram Chandra khuntia, Eminent linguist Prof D P Pattanayak, Researcher Dr Subrat Kumar Prusty, writer and former Odisha Chief Secretary Subhas Pani, IIMC director Mrinlal Charterjee and Chairman The Intellects Debendra Rout among others also emphasized upon saving the ancient languages and more budgetary allocation for their research and promotion.

The Intellect, a Delhi based literary organisation, in collaboration with Jagannath temple, Thyagaraj Nagar, at the Constitution club here celebrated world mother tongue day yesterday. Odia language is the sixth Indian language and first Indo-Aryan language that got classical status on Feb 20, 2014. Debendra Rout, president of The Intellect said this date should be celebrated as the language day across Odisha to remind the people of the glorious past of their language and their future  responsibility to save and promote it.

Former MP Sh Khuntia, Prof Patnaik and Dr Prustry were conferred with title “Ama Gaurava” (Our pride) for their contribution in documenting and successfully presenting
before the government that Odia deserved “Classical status” as the language is as old as 2500 years old. The two-day conclave which had brainstorming sessions on various language related issues had among others AAP leader and educationist from Odisha Dhanada Kanta Mishra, Rajya Sabha Director Dr Satya Narayan Sahu, Election Commission of India Additional Commissioner Prasanna Kumar Dash, Advocate Biraja Mahapatra, Delhi Odia Doctors Association President Dr Anita panda, and NTPC Director Kulamani Samal.