Bhubaneswar: Odisha government on Wednesday released the main features of first Biswa Odia Bhasa Sammilani (World Odia Language Conference) scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from February 3.
As per the programme, the conference will have 16 academic sessions on various topics connected to Odia language, literature and cultural heritage. There will also be special session on Jagannath consciousness. Future aspect and opportunities for Odia language will be held in the session named “Odisha @2036: A Space for Tomorrow”.
Several international scholars including Prof Herman Kulke, Prof Uwe Skoda, Prof Arlo Griffths and Prof Annette Achmiedchen will participate in the deliberations.
Dr Debi Prasanna Pattanayak will be felicitated by Life Time Achievement Award for his contribution to Odia Language and Linguistics. Besides, Jnanpith Award winners, Padma awardees, Sahitya Academy awardees, Kabir Samman awardees, winners of highest awards of state academies will be felicitated.
The conference will showcase a well curated exhibition of the Odisha’s glorious past and the transformative present and the aspirational future. The exhibition is organised on three broader themes and timelines of Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern.
In the exhibition, the evolution and development of Odia language and script; ancient rock edicts, copper plate, palm leaf manuscripts, Kalinga style of temple architecture, maritime and trade contacts of Odisha will be highlighted with artifacts and paintings.
The renaissance of Odia literature during the mediaeval period will be showcased. The arrival of printing press and the impact it created in the spread of Odia language will be highlighted with artifacts and photos. The role of newspapers and periodicals and modern thought leaders will also be presented.
The conference will also deliberate on challenges posed by science and technology to Odia language and script. It will give a glimpse of initiatives taken to place Odia in the world stage. It includes showcasing Odia Virtual Academy, plans for increasing pages of Odia in Wikipedia and Odia fonts.
In order to promote reading habits among school students, a concept of “Asa Padhiba” will be highlighted through a mobile library bus and mobile book cart.
The contributions of various personalities of the past will be commemorated through busts and paintings. The Odia signatures of prominent personalities will be displayed. The chief minister will releas a commemorative postal stamp in the inaugural session.
To make the exhibition more participatory for the children, DAKK Room and Information Kiosk will be set up. A life-size ‘Konark Horse’ replica statue will occupy the centre stage.
The academic sessions and the conference events will be live streamed.
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