BHUBANESWAR: The State unit of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) continued its efforts to teach Odia to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday.
Five NSUI activists led by State unit president Itish Pradhan tried to persuade the security personnel to allow them to Naveen Nivas to teach Odia to the Chief Minister. However, they were detained by police.
Meanwhile, the Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) has come down heavily on NSUI activists for “enacting a drama everyday”. Stating that the Chief Minister has taken many steps for the growth of Odia language, BYJD general secretary Bijay Nayak said the Government has established Odia Bhasa Pratisthan besides deciding to revive the Bhagabat Tungis across the State.
Odia language got classical status during the period and the State Government has decided to set up Odia chairs in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Delhi University (DU) besides increasing the budget allocation for Odisha Sahitya Akademi, Nayak said.
He said the State Government has also unveiled a logo to be used in Government offices and official functions to mark the 80th year of Odisha as a separate State.