The Odia language movement spearheaded by the Bhasa Suraksha Sammilani has spread to Surat in Gujarat with around 10 lakh Odias residing in Gujarat coming together to organise a seminar for protection and promotion of Odia on Thursday.
As chief guest, Sammilani president and MP Baishnab Parida inaugurated the programme. Education in Odia language in necessary to protect the language and culture among the non-resident Odias residing in Gujarat for decades, said Parida. “Odias residing outside Odisha should not only support the language movement but also take pledge to protect their mother tongue,” said MP Parida.
Speaking on the prominence of Odia language and its current vulnerability, chief speaker former MlA Pratap Sadangi said it is the responsibility of both the Odisha Government and the Government of the concerned States to save the language and culture among the non-resident Odias. Political leaders cutting across party lines in the State should come forward and support for the success of the language movement, he added.
The non-resident Odias also celebrated the Raja Parba on the occasion.