The 5th Shastriya Odia Divas was celebrated amid jollity jointly by the Shastriya Odia Bhasha Pratisthan and the KISS Foundation here on Sunday.
Padmabibhushan Dr Sitakant Mohapatra inaugurating the programme at the AG office here suggested that the proposed Odia University be named after Adikabi Sarala Das. Former MP and organisation president Dr Rama Chandra Khuntia, who presided over the meeting supported Mohapatra’s suggestion. Former Vice-Chancellor Prof Omkar Mohanty said the Odia University is likely to be established soon. Jnanapeeth winner Dr Pratibha Ray praised the efforts of Khuntia for availing Shastriya status to Odia.
Former Minister Sk Matlub Ali said efforts should be made from school to university levels for development of Odia language. Chief Guest Padmashri Dr Debi Prasanna Patnaik said there is a need of establishment of an Odia University at the earliest and stressed on holding the historic Shastriya Odia Divas.