Bhubaneswar: A committee formed by the Odisha government has recommended changes in the English spelling of the names of 64 places across 26 districts in the state.
Official sources said the panel, headed by eminent litterateur Pratibha Ray, has recommended changes in the English spelling of these places in order to restore their original Odia names. The move also aims to ensure accurate pronunciation in line with their original names.
The committee has recommended changes in the English spelling of 64 places across Odisha, including several districts, district headquarters towns, sub-divisions, blocks and tahsils, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department said in a letter to the Director of Odia Bhasha Pratisthana.
Earlier, the Revenue Department had proposed changes in the English spelling of those places and invited suggestions and proposals in this regard from the common public.
The committee sent its recommendation after taking into consideration all suggestions and proposals received from the people as well as other stakeholders, added the Revenue Department.
Following are the recommended changes:
Angul—Anugola
Pallahara—Palalahada
Talcher—Talacher
Bolangir—Balangir
Bangamunda—Bangomunda
Balasore—Baleshwar
Nilgir—Nilagiri
Soro—Sora
Bargarh—Baragada
Rajborasambar—Rajbodasambar
Bonth—Banta
Boudhgarh—Boudhagada
Cuttack—Katak
Athagarh—Athagada
Salipur—Salepur
Baramba—Badamba
Deogarh—Debagada
Reamal—Riamal
Berhampur—Brahmapur
Hinjilicut—Hinjilikatu
Aska—Asika
Suruda—Sorada
Dasarathpur—Dasharathpur
Dharmasala—Dharmashala
Belpahar—Belpahad
Dharamgarh—Dharmagada
Junagarh—Junagada
Jaipatna—Jayapatna
Lanjigarh—Lanjigada
Bhawanipatna—Bhabanipatana
Khondmal—Kandhamala
Kendrapara—Kendrapada
Aul—Aali
Mahakalapara—Mahakalapada
Keonjhar—Kendujhar
Barbil—Badabil
Keonjhargarh—Kendujhargada
Khurda—Khordha
Balagarh—Bolagada
Banpur—Banapur
Jatni—Jatani
Jeypore—Jayapur
Podia—Padia
Betnoti—Betanati
Samakhunta—Shamakhunta
Moroda—Morada
Rasgovindpur—Rasagobindapur
Panchpir—Panchapidha
Umerkote—Umarkot
Nayagarh—Nayagada
Daspalla—Dashapalla
Khariar—Khadial
Nimapara—Nimapada
Rairakhol—Redhakhol
Sonepur—Sonpur
Binka—Binika
Sundargarh—Sundaragada
Bonaigarh—Banaigada
Koira—Koida
Lephripara—Lephripada
Subdega—Sabdega
Bargaon—Badagan
Lahunipara—Lahunipada
Rourkela—Raurkela
The proposed revisions are part of a broader effort by the state government to strengthen the use of the Odia language in official communication and preserve the cultural and linguistic authenticity of place names.
Sources said the recommendations are likely to be examined further by the state government before an official notification is issued.
