Bhubaneswar: All official work of the Odisha government will be conducted in the Odia language, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced Thursday.
The Chief Minister, who had been functioning from the state guest house since being sworn in June 12, moved to the CMO at Lok Seva Bhawan Thursday, where he received a warm welcome from his Cabinet Ministers, state Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and other senior officials.
Majhi entered his chamber and, amid the chanting of Vedic hymns by priests, occupied the Chief Minister’s chair in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, along with several other ministers.
Speaking to reporters, Majhi said, “Apart from tangible development, emphasis will be laid on cultural development. Importance will also be given to the promotion and preservation of Odia ‘asmita’ (pride).”
Majhi said he has issued instructions to the officers to ensure that all files put forth before him are in Odia language.
He said all government work would be done in the Odia language. If needed, the Odisha Official Language Act will be amended.
The chief minister announced that a language commission will be set up for the promotion of the Odia language.
The Odisha Sahitya Akademi, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi and Lalit Kala Akademi will be restructured and steps will be taken to augment their working capabilities, he said.
“The Odissi Research Centre will be made effective and quality research on Odia asmita will be encouraged. Efforts will be made to promote reading habits among the people by expanding the library movement,” he said.
A translation academy will be established for the promotion of the Odia language and literature while a mechanism will be put in place for the use of technology for the development of the Odia language, Majhi said.
Odisha Language Bhawan and Odia Asmita Bhawan will also be set up, he said.
To promote the art and culture of each district, Sanskruti Bhawan will be set up in all districts of Odisha, he said.
Special consideration will be made for the appointment of Odia teachers in high schools across the state. The work for the establishment of Paika Academy and Memorial at Barunei will be accelerated.
The state government is committed to giving importance to the development of the various heritage sites of the state. All work will be done with the cooperation and suggestion of the public, Majhi added.
He called upon the people to give suggestions as to what else needed to be done for Odia asmita.
They can submit their proposals to the government in the coming days, he added.
The Chief Minister made several announcements for the promotion and propagation of the Odia language, art, culture, and heritage in the state.
Majhi said that the Odia Anubad (Translation) Academy and Odia Asmita (Pride) Bhawan will be established in the state and that a Language Commission will be set up for the preservation and promotion of the Odia language.
He stated that the Sahitya Academy, Art Academy, Sangeet Academy, Odisha Lalit Kala Academy, and Odia Language Institute will be reconstituted and expanded. Local art and culture will be encouraged by establishing cultural bhawans in each district.
Majhi said the library movement will be strengthened in the state, and efforts will be made to conserve, preserve, and develop heritage sites in Odisha.
He also mentioned that the appointment of Odia language teachers in high schools across the state will be considered, and research will be undertaken for the promotion, preservation, and propagation of Odia pride and self-respect.
The Chief Minister further stated that the work on the Paika Memorial Academy at the foothills of Barunei in Khurda district will be expedited.
PTI