1st World Odia Language Conference To Be Held In Bhubaneswar In February Next Year

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has decided to organise “Biswa Odia Bhasha Sammilani” (World Odia Language Conference) in Bhubaneswar in February, 2024.

Odia Language. Literature and Culture Minister Aswini Kumar Patra told the media that the proposal for the conference was approved at a meeting of Heritage Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday.

Giving details on the conference, chief secretary Pradip Kumar Jena and secretary of the department Sujata Kartikeyan said the World Odia Language Conference, to be held for the first time, will continue for 3 days. However, the final dates will be decided later, they added.

They further said eminent linguists and language researchers from across the world will be invited to the conference. They will deliberate on the steps to be taken for promotion and preservation of not only Odia but also other lanaguages in practice in Odisha.

Since the conference aims at attracting the youths to Odia language, the students of schools, colleges and educational instituions will be invited to the conference. The discussion will also feature steps to include Odia as a professional course and its application in digital medium, the chief secretary said.

Besides, Odia associations in outside countries and individuals and institutions involved in promotion of Jagannath culture will also participate in the conference, he added.