The Odisha government has started giving importance for the promotion of Odia language, art, culture and heritage. It has allocated special funds for the promotion of Odia language and to take it forward into the digital age.
As part of its move for the promotion of Odia language, art, culture and heritage, the State government conducted the First World ODIA language conference at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar between the 3rd and 5th of February with the theme- Bhasa Hi Bhavisyata. The Naveen Patnaik-led government also assured to implement all the recommendations of the conference, compiled by experts, students, linguists etc. within three years.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also announced to conduct such conference at the international level once every five years and at the state level, the Odia language conference shall be held every year involving students and the youth of the state, apart from experts and linguists.
Odia, after being declared as a classical language, has not received any grant from the centre in the last 10 years, the State government set aside a sum of Rs 100 Crore for the promotion of Odia language and to take it forward into the digital age.
The government has also decided to preserve the state’s rich performing arts, Kalakaar federations shall be developed on the lines of Mission Shakti federations. Kalakaar pensions shall be increased in coverage. Besides, it has decided to connect with the Odia diaspora and build strong networks through the Odisha Parivar.
The Kalinga Shree and Kalinga Bhushan awards on the lines of Padma Shree and Padma Bhushan will be introduced to encourage and recognise achievement of people in various fields.
The State government will also spend a sum of Rs 1,000 Crore for heritage conservation including places of worship, places associated with our great heroes, and places of historical and cultural importance etc. with an objective of ensuring our youth being proud of our culture and language and connected to our glorious heritage.
As the Odia Culture is undeniably linked to Jagannath culture, the State government has decided to take up all Jagannath temples in the state for preservation and provision of pilgrim amenities. All other major temples of the state shall also be taken up. Similarly, places of faith of our tribal population shall be taken up for protection and preservation through respective SDCs. The faith of all communities residing in the state shall be respected and protected.
Odia University at Satyabadi shall be made the number one language university in the country by 2034, and an international Journal of Odia Studies will be published every year.
The handloom and textiles are part of the cultural tapestry of the state. Free accident and life insurance up to Rs 3 lakh will be provided to weavers and artisans. All eligible weavers and artisans will be covered under the monthly Pension Scheme.
A world class State Institute of Fashion Technology (SIFT) will be set up to help our weavers and artisans to get inputs on design and innovations. We will showcase our rich heritage in textiles and connect with global markets.
All Padma awardees from Odisha shall get a pension of 25,000 per month for their contribution in their respective fields.
Besides, the culture centres shall be revamped in every district to become the nucleus of Odia culture promotion, and preservation and Bhagabata Tungi will be promoted in every Grama Panchayats across the state. It also had given Rs 50,000 to each Bhagabata Tungi.
Utkal University of Culture will be developed as one of the premier Culture Universities of the country.
The State government will also set up a centre of excellence in Sambalpur University to study and research on Western Odisha language literature and cultural heritage. A corpus of Rs. 25 crores will be set aside for this purpose.
The State government also has signed an MOU signed with JNU for establishment of Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia. It also has decided to promote Jagannath culture in every village under Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha programme.
The State government completed large scale heritage development work in Puri; Shree Mandira Parikrama Prakalpa and heritage development in Maa Samaleswari Temple, Lingaraj Temple, Maa Tara Tarini Temple.
This apart, the State government, which had increased the culture budget significantly in last 5 years, has increased the Kalakar pension amount and coverage.
The following eminent personalities of Odisha were also honoured by the State government:
• Utkala Mani Gopabandhu birth place developed
• Manmath–Manoj Memorial
• Two field centers for research on Bhima Bhoi.
• Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum, Cuttack
• Madhu Babu Samadhi Peetha Development, Cuttack
• Redevelopment of Jayadev Peetha
