Historic MoU Signed: Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies at JNU

Bhubaneswar: In a landmark collaboration, the Government of Odisha and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, paving the way for the establishment of the Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies at JNU.

The state government has displayed its commitment to this initiative by contributing a one-time non-recurring corpus fund of Rs. 10 Crore. This endowment will serve as the financial backbone for the envisioned center, which aims to explore and celebrate the life, leadership, and contributions of Biju Patnaik, the visionary leader, the Bhoomiputra of Indonesia, and former Chief Minister of Odisha.

The proposed Biju Patnaik Special Centre is set to introduce a Master’s Program encompassing various dimensions of Odia Studies, fostering cultural bonds with the Odisha Diaspora, and actively promoting contemporary Odia Literature and Art.

The MoU signing ceremony took place in the esteemed presence of Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Chief Secretary Sri Pradeep Kumar Jena, Development Commissioner-cum-ACS Anu Garg, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary OLLC Sujata R. Karthikeyan.

Representing the Government of Odisha, Arabind Agrawal, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department, and Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit from JNU, New Delhi, were the signatories to the MoU.

The Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies is poised to focus on international teaching and research in Odia Language and Literature. It will delve into the historical maritime linkages of the Kalinga Empire with Southeast Asia, explore diasporic connections, and actively contribute to the promotion of contemporary Odia culture through publications and collaborative research.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of other senior officers from the Higher Education Department of Odisha, along with Prof Udaynath Sahu from Adikabi Sarala Das Chair, JNU, signifying the collective commitment to the preservation and promotion of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.