Umarkote, The Utkal Pujyapuja Parishad has submitted a 36-point memorandum to the Minister of Mass Education, Nityananda Gond. The proposal was handed over by social activist and Parishad member Sameer Kumar Pradhan.
The memorandum demands:
Granting autonomous status to the Odia Language Institute
Appointment of language teachers in schools
Filling vacant Odia lecturer positions in colleges and universities
A comprehensive restructuring of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi’s functioning
Protection of the Odia language in remote areas
Preservation and translation of classic Odia books into various Indian and international languages
Extensive research and documentation in Odia
Structural reforms in all Odisha government websites, making them information-driven
The memorandum also calls for ensuring that all government letters, notifications, directives, information dissemination, and advertisements are issued in Odia. This, it argues, will enhance transparency and accountability in governance while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Odia language.
It raises concerns about the declining use of Odia in both government and private sectors, attributing this to the lack of enforcement of the Odisha Official Language Act of 1954. The proposal urges the Chief Minister and the Minister of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture to take necessary measures to address this issue.
Minister Nityananda Gond received the memorandum and acknowledged the demand for a separate Odia Language Protection Law in the state assembly. The proposal also emphasizes the mandatory implementation of Odia across all official state communications.