A demand for a Koshal University was proposed and passed in a public meeting organised by the Koshal Sahitya Sanskruti Academy on the occasion of the birthday celebration of poet Satyanarayan Bohidar here. A memorandum in this regard was sent to the State and Central Governments.
The meeting was presided over by its forum’s general secretary Gorekhnath Sahu. Educationist Sarat Chandra Mohanty was the chief guest and cine artist and dramatist Atal Bihari Panda was guest ofhonour. Another guest was Koshli poet Professor Jayadev Dansena.
General secretary Sahu said Subarnapur has been considered as epicentre of culture, the citadel of lord Jagannath, confluence of Shakta,Shiva and Baishnav cults, the Sadhna and Sidhhi Pitha of Buddhist tantric Yoga and the birth,Sadhna,Sidhhi and Samrudhhi Pitha of Santh Kabi Bhima Bhoi.
The holy place has also been considered by research scholars as the mainland of Koshli language and culture. The Stambheswari Shila lekh and the Kumursingha copper plate are the archeological proof of the fact, he added.
As Subarnapur has a strong historical, mythological and archeological background, it justifies the establishment of a Koshal University which will protect, preserve and augment the Koshli language and culture, he demanded.
It may be noted that the Koshli language and culture has earned worldwide reputation through drama, cinema and literature.
The academy also demanded inclusion of Koshli language under the VIII Schedule of the Constitution and status of second official language of the State. Besides, the other demands are mother tongue based primary education and establishment of the Koshal Sahitya Sanskruti Academy. A vote of thanks was proposed by Braja Mohan Dani.