Bhubaneswar, March 11: Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati emphasized that the recognition of Odia as a classical language is a tribute to its extensive literary and philosophical heritage that has significantly influenced India’s cultural landscape. Speaking at the inauguration of the National Seminar on ‘Classical Language of Bharat: A New Perspective’ at Jayadev Bhavan, the Governor lauded Odisha’s rich literary tradition. He praised iconic Odia figures like Jayadeva, whose Gita Govinda has profoundly impacted Indian classical arts. Dr. Kambhampati also highlighted the role of Odia literature in historical, religious, and scholarly contexts, reinforcing its importance in India’s intellectual growth.
During his address, the Governor acknowledged India’s classical languages, including Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, and the recently recognized Pali, Prakrit, Marathi, Bengali, and Assamese, as crucial pillars of India’s cultural identity. He praised the Jagannath tradition for its role in making sacred texts accessible to the masses and strengthening Odisha’s spiritual legacy. Stressing the significance of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Governor encouraged the promotion of mother tongue-based education, which enhances cultural identity and linguistic diversity.
Alongside the Governor, Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and acclaimed writer Pratibha Ray spoke about preserving and promoting Odia language and literature. Project Director of CESCO, Professor Basant Kumar Panda, and Director of the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Shailendra Mohan, addressed the audience. During the seminar, three eminent personalities were honored for their contributions to Odia language. The Governor concluded by urging scholars to integrate digital tools, artificial intelligence, and research to sustain and expand classical languages, ensuring their relevance for future generations.
