The third Jatiya Odisha Swabhiman Sammilani, a conference of Odias living in and outside Odisha, was held here on Friday. The conference was organised jointly by the Mahan Sangh and the Antarjatiya Odia Swabhiman Paratisthan, New Delhi.
Attending as the chief guest, Excise Minister Damodar Rout said, “The Odia people who are living outside the State, have more feelings for Odisha than us.” Non-Resident Odias have constructed Jagannath temples in Jagdalpur, Chennai, the USA, etc. They are observing Raja, Rath Yatra and other Odia festivals with much fervour than us in the State,” he added.
“We should have nationalism and dignity. For our flattery nature, we are unable to be developed,” he added.
Former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo, MP Baishnab Charan Parida, former Union Minister Braja Kishore Tripathy, BJD leader Muna Khan and Mahan Sangh president Susant Kumar Sabat attended the event as guests.
The speakers discussed economic, cultural and linguistic development of Odias living in the State and outside. They were also of the view that the language and culture of Odisha is vastly rich, but the new Odia generation is not following it properly. The new generations are also unable to use proper Odia dialect, they rued.
Seminars on the topics ‘The Role of Odisha in National Politics,’ ‘Non-Resident Odia,’ ‘The role of Writers to Protect the Dignity of Odisha’ were also held.
The 30th annual function of the Mahan Sangh was also organised on the occasion.