Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit on Sunday met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Naveen Niwas here.
She was in the city for an MoU-signing event with the JNU for establishment of a Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies. She said this centre would create favourable conditions for promotion of Odia language, literature and culture.
The centre will start a master's programme for Odia Studies, study Biju Patnaik's leadership and governance, study Jagannath culture and pursue manuscriptology of ancient Odia literature.
The State Government will provide onetime assistance of Rs 10 crore fpr establishment of the centre.
She also appreciated the Odisha Government’s efforts to promote Odia language and culture and expand its scope beyond the State.
Praising Biju Patnaik's role in the Indonesian freedom struggle, she said Bijubabu single-handedly raised the glory of Odisha to the global level.
Prof Pandit described Naveen Patnaik as the finest example of cooperative federalism.
