Newspapers played a vital role in protection and promotion of Odia language before formation of Odisha on linguistic basis, viewed noted speakers at a seminar here recently. “Odisha is the first State in the country and world to be formed on the basis of language. Daily newspapers played an equal role as the Utkal Sammilani and the then luminaries did in forming Odisha before the Independence,” said the speakers participating in a seminar on ‘The role of media on promotion and protection of Odia’ organised by the Ganjam unit of the Utkal Sammilani here on Saturday.
While Sammilani advisor Gopal Chandra Satpathy presided over the discussion, Berhampur University Journalism and Mass Communication Department’s former Reader Dr Pradeep Mohapatra, ‘Naveen’ editor Rabi Rath and Sammilani joint secretary Nakula Sahu graced the occasion as guests. Sammilani secretary Dinabandhu Sripalava delivered the welcome address.
Among others, Bhagawan Sahu, Narasingha Panigrahi, Sriram Patnaik, Ashok Sahu, Rasbihari Das, Parakash Padhy and Md Aaslam participated. A book titled ‘Jeebanara Kichhi Smruti O Anubhuti’ written by Dr Brundaban Padhy was released on this occasion.