espite a legal provision for the utilisation of the Odia language in official establishments, courts, and various institutions within the State, there is a lacklustre response to its implementation, sparking resentment among language advocates.
It is noteworthy that even though the Language Act was passed in the Odisha Assembly by former Chief Minister Nabakrushna Choudhury more than seven decades ago, its effective implementation has not been realized. The act was intended to ensure the use of the Odia language in official communication and documentation, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the State's linguistic heritage, said the activists at a Press meet here, organised by the Antarjatiya Bhasa Surakhya Sansthan.
Comparatively, in Odisha's neighbouring States such as Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, the native language holds a significant place in official proceedings. Despite Odisha's status as the only State to have been formed on langiustic line and Odia being used predominantly, the utilization of the language at official levels has remained an unfulfilled aspiration, they lamented.
They argued that its implementation in official capacities would facilitate greater inclusivity, accessibility, and a sense of belonging among the State's citizens.
Moreover, it would align with the broader vision of nurturing linguistic diversity while reinforcing the cultural fabric of Odisha, said forum convenor- cum -senior journalist Rabi Rath.
The call for greater integration of the Odia language in official settings is not only a matter of linguistic significance but also a testament to upholding the essence of the State's heritage and identity, said forum organiser Professor Jayakrishna Gauda.