In a bid to protect and promote the Odia language, the Bhasa Suraksha Sammilani has decided to observe the birth anniversary of Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das on April 28 as Bhasa Suraksha Divas all over the State.
A Mashal Yatra along with meetings would mark the occasion.
Though the mother tongue has been given Classical language status by the Centre, it is being neglected in its own land, lamented Sammilani president and Rajya Sabha member Baishnab Parida at a Press meet here on Wednesday.
He urged all political parties, institutions, literary and cultural organisations, writers, intellectuals and students to observe April 28 as Bhasa Suraksha Divas.
The Sammilani has been pressing for implementation of the Odisha Official language Act, 1954 to use Odia in all official works. Parida said the Government must pass an order for introduction of Odia in administration, courts, educational institutions and trade and commerce.
He also criticised the State Government for opening Adarsha Vidyalayas (Model Schools) as these schools would give emphasis to the English language. Sammilani vice-president Prof Nityananda Satpathy and general secretary Bijay Mohanty were present at the meet.