The State Government would set up a language Museum in the proposed Central Institute of Classical Odia (CICO) which would be established in Bhubaneswar to promote research and development of this classical language. It was informed by School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra after inaugurating a four-day long 2nd National language Conference organised by the Institute of Odia Studies and Research (IOSR) here on Monday.
Mishra said the Government has planned to set up the museum as a part of the CICO in order to preserve the documents of different languages spoken in the State. The museum would be set up in the campus of the institute, he added. On multi-lingual education (MlE) policy, Mishra said Odisha is the only State to frame such policy to teach children in their own mother tongues. “We have appointed 3455 specialised teachers to teach children in their own languages,” he added.
He said the State Government has introduced early childhood education in 20 languages across the State. Recently, the Government had introduced two new languages, Bhumia and Bhatra, he added. Addressing the delegates, Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda said they are planning to publish a compendium of Odia language to showcase the richness of the language. He said they have already started a work to digitalise very important ancient documents through an e-Pothi programme.
Panda said they have planned to set up a gallery of old documents of palm leaves to preserve it for future generation. “We are trying to protect ancient literature and documents which made our Odia language rich over the years,” he added.
IOSR director and renowned linguist Dr Debi Prasanna Pattnaik said the State Government should employ bilingual teachers in the border areas of the State to promote Odia language. “The Government should come up with a policy for development and promotion of our language in the bordering areas of our State,” said Pattnaik. Among others, noted linguist Dr Anwita Abbi and IOSR member secretary Dr Subrat Kumar Prusty and eminent delegates across the country were present.
