Odisha gears up for historic ‘Biswa Odia Bhasha Sammilani’ – World Odia Language Conference 2024

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today announced its decision to host the inaugural “Biswa Odia Bhasha Sammilani” (World Odia Language Conference) in Bhubaneswar in February 2024.

The proposal for this significant conference received approval during a meeting of the Heritage Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday, as revealed by Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Minister Aswini Kumar Patra.

Chief Secretary Pradip Kumar Jena and Department Secretary Sujata Kartikeyan shared additional insights into the event, disclosing that the World Odia Language Conference is scheduled to span three days. While the final dates are yet to be determined, the conference is set to convene for the first time, attracting renowned linguists and language researchers from around the globe.

The primary focus of the conference is not only on the promotion and preservation of the Odia language but also on other languages prevalent in Odisha. Aiming to engage the youth in the richness of the Odia language, the conference plans to extend invitations to students from schools, colleges, and educational institutions. Discussions will also explore the integration of Odia as a professional course and its application in the digital realm, according to the Chief Secretary.

Furthermore, the event will be inclusive of Odia associations from other countries, along with individuals and institutions actively involved in promoting Jagannath culture. The conference is poised to be a pivotal platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration on linguistic and cultural endeavors, uniting stakeholders from diverse backgrounds in a collective effort to elevate the significance of the Odia language on a global scale.