Though the Odia language has achieved the coveted Classical tag after a prolonged fight, it is yet to be fully used as the State’s official language, lamented Rajya Sabha BJD member Baisnab Charan Parida here on Sunday.
language is the identity of a nation, which dies with the death of its language. However, the use of Odia language has been declining at every sector in the State, rued Parida, convener of the Bhasa Suraksha Sammilani, at a discussion held by the body to mark the Utkal Diwas.
“Odia language is not being used as a means of communication in administration, courts, business establishments and educational and social institutions in the State,” said Parida. He underscored the need to inculcate a sense of consciousness among the Odias for development and expansion of the Odia language.
Odisha Sahitya Akademi President Satakadi Hota maintained that while nearly 10 per cent of the State’s population knows the English language, the rest 90 per cent people are suffering for the interest of the meagre 10 per cent.
Citing instances, he said there is less number of Odia teachers in educational institutions and the State Government’s letters and notifications are being written in English. Thus, we need to exert pressure on the Government and educational institutions to take proactive steps for development and promotion of Odia.
Among others, linguist Dr Debi Prasanna Pattanaik, Prof Amiya Kumar Patnaik, Sahadev Sahoo, Padma Charan Nayak, Prof Adikand Sahoo and Prof Basant Kumar Panda spoke about the historical movement for the formation of Odisha as a separate State and the need for development and expansion of the Odia language.