The School of Tribal Language & Literature, KISS-DU celebrated Classical Odia Language Day on 11th March 2022 in a blended mode. Professor Basanta Kumar Panda, Director, Centre for Excellence for Studies in Classical Odia Language was the distinguished invited speaker on the occasion. Most of the faculty members and research scholars along with other dignitaries participated in the program and made it a huge success.
Professor Panda spoke on the journey of Odia to be designated as the sixth classical language in India. He described the hard and painful struggle of the language for getting this status and also his own attempt to bring glory to the language on the basis of having a long literary history and not having borrowed extensively from other languages. Professor Panda clarified the criteria adopted by the government to determine the eligibility of a language for classical status and his efforts to meet this challenge successfully. He also urged all others to feel the gravity and magnanimity of the day.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Deepak Kumar Behera, Vice-Chancellor, KISS-DU talked about the necessity of celebrating the day and appreciated the efforts initiated by the School. He mentioned that the Odia language has a long literary history and is enriched with huge literary output. “We must take all necessary steps to elevate our language and take it to the next higher level”, Prof. Behera urged. Moreover, he asserted the classical antiquity of the language and concluded with remarks that Odia, in fact, is a language with the largest number of words in its vocabulary. Prof. Behera also appreciated the efforts taken by the university and foresighted the huge scope in this area.
Dr. Prasanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS-DU supported the initiative by the School and introduced the distinguished invited speaker. Underscoring the importance of mother tongue in one’s life, he suggested strengthening the participation of all the research scholars and encouraged further study in this regard. Juel Sabar, a Master Degree student in Odia, shared his feelings and the noble intention of the day.
Speaking earlier, Dr. Rasmita Tripathy, Dean, School of Comparative Tribal Languages & Literatures, KISS-DU delivered a brief introduction on the significance of the day and mentioned the classical status of the Odia language as declared on 11th March 2014. The session not only provided the participants in-depth knowledge about the antiquity of the Odia language and its classical status, but also enlightened all to go for further research in this regard. Dr. Lusi Priyadarshini Nayak, Faculty, Odia Programme, KISS-DU coordinated the program and Dr. Pramodini Jena, Head of the Odia Programme proposed a vote of thanks.