Odisha To Host World Odia Language Conference Every 5 Years, Announces Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Odisha will host “Biswa Odia Bhasa Sammilani” (World Odia Language Conference) every 5 years, announced Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the first World Odia Language Conference in Bhubaneswar, the chief minister said it would remain a milestone in the history of Odia language.

Naveen also released a bi-lingual coffee table book, titled “Odia- Journey of A Language, on the occasion. Conceptualised by chief advisor (special initiatives) R Balkrishnan, the book is written by eminent writers Subhranshu Panda and Pratik Pattnaik.

“The book mentions the journey of Odia language from its origin to its place in present digital age. It narrates the struggle of the language through various challenges till it got the recognition as a classical language of the country,” Panda said.

“The facts, data and pictures collected from more than 40 libraries and museums have found mention in the 250-page book. This is the first bi-lingual coffee table book of any Indian language,” he added.