Dakshin Odisha Sahitya Sammilani held a conference at Muniguda in Rayagada district on Sunday last.
Attending the conference, former Assembly Deputy Speaker Rama Chandra Panda said it is the responsibility of every citizen to protect and preserve the rich cultural heritage and religious traditions of the State.He cautioned that if the Government does not take appropriate steps in time to protect Odia language and literature, there will be a speedy degradation of our rich traditions as well as literary and moral values.
In the first session, among others, former MP and Utkal Bharat president Kharabela Swain, Odisha Union of Journalists president Prasanna Kumar Mohanty and scribe Akshaya Kumar Sahu spoke.The afternoon session was inaugurated by Sammilani working president poet Prasant Mishra. SESA Sterilites lanjigada CEO KK Dave graced the occasion as chief guest.
Gandhian leader Ratan Das expressed his concern over the deterioration of moral values in the contemporary society. He urged the people to deeply respect their mother, motherland and mother tongue.Among others, BJP Yuva Morcha former State president Bibhuti Jena, Odisha Sahitya Academy member Sushant Kumar Nayak, advocate Chandra Mouli Pattnaik, social worker Pramila Swain and tribal leader Bidyulata Huikka spoke. Several literary luminaries, senior citizens, political functionaries, and scribes participated.