Koraput, 23rd July 2025: The influence of the Telugu language is rapidly eroding the presence of Odia in the border areas of Koraput district. A recent example has emerged from Bandhugaon block, where six Odia-medium schools have shut down due to lack of students, while children from at least four panchayats are now going to Andhra Pradesh schools to study in Telugu.
Most areas of Bandhugaon block, predominantly tribal, are located close to the Andhra border, and many locals depend on the nearby Andhra town of Parvathipuram for livelihood. As a result, Telugu has gained significant linguistic and cultural influence.
Many parents now prefer Telugu over Odia, and earlier initiatives that appointed Telugu language teachers in Odia schools were discontinued after the recruitments were stopped. Consequently, Telugu language instruction in Odisha schools ceased, prompting more parents to send their children across the border.
As a result, six schools in Odisha — in the panchayats of Kapalada (Tadiwalsa, Jayakata, Sanabankidi, Manikiwalsa, Emphabalsa) and Pamaganda (Jarwa, Sirajhalla) — have shut down due to dwindling student strength.
Children from these Telugu-dominated villages now travel 2 to 5 kilometers to attend schools in neighboring Andhra Pradesh, and some even stay in hostels in Andhra schools to continue their Telugu education.
Although these students are eligible for assistance under Odisha’s ‘Madhusmita Yojana’, which supports students commuting long distances, those who shift to Andhra schools do not benefit from it.
This situation reflects a growing linguistic shift in the region and raises serious concerns about the future of Odia language and education in border areas.