The Utkal Sammilani has welcomed the State Government’s decision to observe March 11 as Shastriya Odia Bhasha Divas (Classical Odia language Day) to promote the regional language. The Sammilani demanded that like Mathematics and Science Olympiads, an Odia Olympiad examination be conducted across the State to promote Odia language and literature.
“As there are a few takers for Odia at University level, efforts should be made to strengthen it from school level and to ensure that more number of students are interested towards the subject,” said Sammilani Industrial Estate branch head Dillip Dashsharma. Besides, Odia must be made a compulsory subject from Class-I to X in all Odia and English medium schools across the State, he added.