Bhubaneswar: On the birth anniversary of Pandit Gopabandhu Das on Tuesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone of the proposed Odia University at Bakula Bana at Sakhigopal under Satyabadi block in Puri district.
The Chief Minister first offered floral tributes to the Panchasakha, Gopabandhu Das, Krupasindhu Mishra, Harihar Das, Pandit Godavarish Mishra and Nilakantha Das. He then went to Bakula Bana to lay foundation stone of the university, which would help promote and propagate Odia language across the country.
The Panchasakha had set up Bakula Bana Vidyalaya, the first model open school in the state at Sakhigopal in 1909.
The Chief Minister also planted saplings at Bakula Bana on the occasion, for which water and soil were brought from 30 districts of the state.
According to the sources, 20 platoons of police force were deployed in the area to maintain law and order during the programme.
Among others, Panchayati Raj Minister Pradeep Maharathy, Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty and MP Pinaki Mishra were present.
