Bhubaneswar: In a move to strengthen the use of Odia in government functions, the Odia Bhasa Pratisthan inaugurated a specialized training program for over 100 government officials today at Sanskruti Bhavan’s conference hall. The two-day workshop, running from November 12-13, aims to enhance officials’ proficiency in using Odia for official documentation and communication.
The program was formally inaugurated by Subodh Acharya, Joint Director of the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, who underscored the significance of the Odia language in preserving cultural identity. “Odia is not only a medium of communication but a vehicle of our heritage,” he said, commending the contributions of scholars and writers dedicated to Odisha’s cultural development.
A training manual published by the Odia Bhasa Pratisthan was released at the event, providing participants with resources to support Odia language use in administrative work. Officials are being trained on a range of topics, including Odia vocabulary, administrative terminology, and drafting official documents in Odia, such as orders, memos, and notes.
Dr. Fanindra Bhushan Nanda of the Odia Bhasa Pratisthan outlined the program’s objectives, adding that officials completing the training would receive certificates on the concluding day. Day one featured sessions led by noted linguists Dr. Kailash Chandra Tikayat and Dr. Ramesh Chandra Mallik. Tomorrow’s lineup will include experts in Odia language and literature, with additional contributions from the Odia Virtual Academy.