Mail News Service
Saraikela, March 21: In a meeting organized by Jharkhand Utkaliya Moolvasi Sanskritik Parishad (JUMSP) at the community hall in Rajnagar, members lamented that in spite of enjoying the status of second language in the state, Odiya language and culture were on the verge of extinction. The meeting was jointly presided by Ravindra Rana and Rahul Sathpathy.
Central committee president Ravindra Das lamented, “The state of Odiya language in Jharkhand is lamentable. We have to join shoulders to save our language and culture. In spite of Odiya language getting the status of second language in Jharkhand, teaching in the language in schools is not at all being pursued and neither are adequate Odiya language teachers being posted. As a result of these lacunas, Odiya language and culture are on the verge of extinction.”
JUMSP central committee general secretary Hirendra Singhdev accused the state government of adopting a step motherly attitude towards the strengthening and growth of Odiya language. He said that if the Odiya community did not act fast, the existence of the language and the regional culture would become matters of the past.
Mayadhar Behra stated that in the past education was imparted in Odiya language in 150 schools but that is no longer in evidence. Harekrishna Pradhan advised that it was essential to conduct awareness drives in order to save Odiya language and culture. Others who addressed the meeting included Jagdish Pradhan, Anand Sahu, Satyaprakash Kar and Rajnikant Keshri. Singer Anant Prasad Biswal who anchored the meeting sang a devotional ode to Lord Jagannath which captivated the large gathering.
Formation of Rajnagar Block committee:
In the meeting JUMSP formed the Rajnagar Block Committee that was elected unanimously. The new committee included Ravindra Rana (president), Pintu Rauth and Ramkanti Sahu (secretaries), Rahul Sathpathy (joint secretary), Nilkamal Pradhan and Golak Pradhan (media in-charge) and an advisory committee comprising Harekrishna Pradhan, Bhagwati Prasad Rauth, Nandlal Rauth, Tapan Kumar Nanda and Sharad Chandra Pradhan.
