Panel Discussion on "Utkal Sammilani" Held on the 12th Day of Bhashapaksha Observance by Odia Bhasha Bikash Andolan
Balasore | 9 May (Krushna Kumar Mohanty): On the 12th day of Bhashapaksha, observed by the Odia Bhasha Bikash Andolan, a panel discussion titled "Utkal Sammilani" was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Choudhury Satyabrata Nanda.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Nanda remarked that the 12th session of Utkal Sammilani, held in Balasore, is like a living pulse in the collective consciousness of the Odia nation—radiant, enduring, and unforgettable for generations to come.
A book titled “Utkal Sammilani ra Dwadasha Adhibeshana, Baleswara” (The Twelfth Session of Utkal Sammilani, Balasore), edited by Dr. Laxmikanta Tripathy, was unveiled by the guests. Spanning 160 pages, the volume offers detailed insights into Utkal Sammilani, the patriotic anthem Bharata Gitika, and Bande Utkala Janani.
Former president Dr. Kshitiswara Dash delivered a speech outlining the antiquity of the Odia language and the heritage of the Odia people tracing back to pre-Christian eras. He emphasized how Utkal Sammilani played a decisive role in the formation of Odisha as a separate Odia-speaking state.
Another speaker, Dr. Shirisha Chandra Jena, elaborated on the journey of Utkal Sammilani—from its inception in 1902 to the creation of Odisha as an independent province in 1936—focusing especially on the significance of the 12th session held in Balasore.
During the event, Kumar Nath Patra invited the dignitaries to the dais while Shajilata Panda gave the opening remarks. The concluding address was delivered by poet Deepak Bose.
Among those present were Niranjan Raut, Dr. Hemamala Dash, Kamalakanta Dash, Pradip Chatterjee, Nibarana Jena, Prafulla Kumar Das, Rajendranath Rout, Kamalakanta Nayak, Kabita Jena, Shari Bishi, Krishna Pradhan, Aruna Ray, Pandit Sanjaya Kumar Panda, Dr. Ratnakar Singh, Sarat Kumar Mahapatra, Kalyani Nanda, Deepak Das, Dr. Sarangadhar Tripathy, Prabhakar Sahu, Laxmikanta Behera, Manmath Kumar Sahu, Dr. Laxman Charan Biswan, Sunamani Jena, Archana Nandy, Karunakar Sa, Vidyadhar Sahu, Madhusudan Majhi, Narendranath Panigrahi, Mahendra Prasad Panigrahi, Abanti Pradhan, Ramakar Mohanty, Nityananda Rout, and Pitambar Das, among others.
