Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi signed an MoU on Sunday for the establishment of the Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies at JNU.
With a contribution of the state government of a one-time non-recurring corpus money for the endowment amounting to Rs 10 crore, the proposed Biju Patnaik Special Centre aims to delve into the leadership, governance, and contributions of visionary leader and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik.
It plans to initiate a Master’s Program covering various facets of Odia Studies, strengthen cultural bonds with the Odisha Diaspora, and promote contemporary Odia Literature and Art, an official release said.
The MoU was signed in presence of Higher Education Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Development Commissioner-cum-ACS Anu Garg & Commissioner -cum -Secy OLLC Sujata R. Karthikeyan.
On behalf of Odisha government, Commissioner- Cum-Secy Higher Education department Arabind Agrawal and Vice Chancellor of JNU Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit signed the MoU.
The focus areas of this Special Centre include international teaching and research in Odia Language and Literature, exploring historical maritime linkages of Kalinga Empire with South east Asia, diasporic connections, and promoting contemporary Odia culture through publications and collaborative research.
Other senior officers of HE Deptt, Odisha & Prof Udaynath Sahu from Adikabi Sarala Das Chair, JNU were present on the occasion.
JNU VC Prof Pandit also met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas. During the discussion, Prof Pandit admired CM’s transformational initiatives in Odisha that have brought visible changes in every sector of Odisha. She said Naveen has set the finest example of co-operative federalism.
She appreciated the efforts to promote Odia language and culture, and expand its scope beyond Odisha.
She said the Special Centre at JNU will create favourable conditions for promotion of Odia language, literature and culture.
Praising Biju Patnaik’s role in the Indonesian freedom struggle, she said Biju Babu single-handedly raised the glory of Odisha to the global level.
She also appreciated the efforts of the chief minister to promote regional languages and culture, developing a pan Indian identity for them.
