KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly on Thursday passed the University of Odia Language and Literature Bill, 2017 to set up a University in the State for higher studies and research exclusively in Odia language and literature. The Bill was passed by voice vote with few amendments .
Introducing the Bill, Higher Education Minister Ananta Das said the proposed university would be established in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of the State.
“The University will offer post-graduate courses and research in various segment of Odia literature, Odia language, comparative literature, Odia literary criticism, ancient art, culture and documents, evolution of scripts of ancient Indian languages, tribal language studies, regional language studies, archaeology and classical music and translation of Odia literature in other languages and vice versa,” the Minister said.
With this move, Odisha became the fourth state in the country after Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to have a special university for development of its language and literature.
Ironically, the development comes a few days after some national level BJP leaders, including Union Ministers and BJP national President Amit Shah, mocked Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his poor command over the Odia language.
In February 2014, Odia got classical language status after the Union Government approved the long-standing demand.
In August 2016, the Naveen Government enacted the rules of the Odisha Official Language Act, 1954, formally bringing it into force for use of Odia language as the official language of the state.
Ms Kalinga