Odia Language Is the Lifeline of Identity, Say Speakers

Balasore, February 1 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty): Language is the identity of a community, and only if the Odia language survives will the Odia nation endure, observed the speakers at a literary gathering held at The Recovery premises of Parbati Nilayam at Kadrabad. They emphasized that the family and society are the cradle of language education, while schools serve as its laboratory.
The book 'Odia Bhasha Kalpara Banmaya Bidha', authored by eminent educationist Dr. Radha Ranjan Pattanaik, was formally released today in a thoughtful and solemn atmosphere.

The programme was presided over by the publisher and founder of Bidya Bharati Publications, Abhay Das. The chief guest, 'Rebati' magazine Editor and Basta MLA Smt. Subasini Jena, said that a child receives the first linguistic impressions at the anganwadi level itself. Therefore, creating interest and affection for language has become an urgent need of the time.

Delivering the keynote address, retired IAS officer and poet Debendra Kumar Mahapatra expressed concern over the declining interest in literature and the steady erosion of readership. He remarked that Dr. Pattanaik’s creative work would not only benefit readers but also serve as a practical guide for teachers and students in the teaching-learning process.

As the discussant, Dr. Dipika Senapati noted that the book would function as a handbook for students. She pointed out that it offers a detailed and systematic analysis of various aspects such as letter recognition, line drawing, prose, poetry, supplementary literature, grammar, metre, figures of speech, and question paper preparation, making it highly useful for future generations.

Among the distinguished guests, Professor Dr. Shirish Chandra Jena, Dr. Rakhal Chandra Ghadhei, and columnist Kulamani Barik spoke on scientific methods of teaching the Odia language and engaged in an aesthetic discussion on the book’s title. Kulamani Barik also voiced his anguish over the government’s indifference towards the Odia language. 
Convener Dr. Antaryami Panda highlighted the author’s literary journey.

At the beginning of the programme, agricultural scientist Dr. Keshab Chandra Panda recited Vedic chants, while flute maestro Bijay Kumar Mohanty’s rendition of “Ahe Nilasaila” filled the ambience with spiritual fervour. A minute of silence was observed in memory of late litterateur Dr. Banshidhar Choudhury.
During the 'Prusthadristi' segment, storyteller Uday Narayan Das presented his book 'Radha' to Dr. Pattanaik. Literary creators Ashwini Satapathy and Mamata Mahanty also offered their authored books to him. Poet Padmalochan Datta felicitated Dr. Pattanaik with a bouquet and ceremonial shawl, honouring his contribution to literature.

At the outset, Kumari Aditi and Vidyadhar Nayak received the guests with bouquets, shawls, and badges, escorting them to the dais. Jyotiprabha and Ayusmita jointly invited the guests onto the stage. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Abhimanyu Kanungo.
A large number of intellectuals, educationists, and poets from Balasore attended the programme and extended their congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Pattanaik.