Bhubaneswar: As part of the ongoing Odia Fortnight celebrations, the Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Department of Odisha today organized a spirited Odia Sign Board Campaign Rally at Master Canteen Square, urging shopkeepers and business owners to display signboards in the Odia language.
The rally was flagged off by Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, Minister for Labour & Employees’ State Insurance, Forest, Environment and Climate Change. Addressing the gathering, the Minister emphasized the cultural and emotional importance of the Odia language, stating, “Mother and motherland are superior even to heaven. Our mother tongue is the soul of our identity, and its preservation is crucial for the future of our state.”
Marking the stretch between Master Canteen Square and Ram Mandir Square, the rally saw hundreds of enthusiastic participants—men and women alike—marching with colorful placards and banners bearing inspiring messages in Odia. The event was designed to generate awareness about the mandatory use of Odia on shop and commercial establishment signboards, as stipulated in the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956.
Minister Singkhuntia urged business owners across the state to comply with the law and adopt Odia signage with pride and clarity. “A massive state-wide campaign is being conducted to ensure the visibility of Odia on all signboards. Legal action, including fines and cases, will be taken against violators,” he warned.
The event was attended by key officials including Labour Commissioner Indramani Tripathi, Additional Secretary Rajesh Agarwala, Divisional Labour Commissioner Ajay Kumar Pradhan, Joint Labour Commissioner Pranab Kumar Patra, Additional Labour Commissioner Ghaziram Tudu, and other senior officials from the Labour Department and Khurda district administration.
Adding momentum to the campaign, awareness drives were also conducted simultaneously at Nayapally Durgamandap, Lingaraj Station, and Kalpana Square in Bhubaneswar.
As the Odia Fortnight continues from Utkal Dibasa (April 1) to Odia New Year (April 14), the state government has taken this opportunity to reinvigorate pride in the Odia language and foster a deeper connection with Odisha’s cultural roots.
“Our vision,” said Minister Singkhuntia, “is not just compliance but the celebration of our Odia identity. Let us all join hands to enrich our mother tongue and ensure that every corner of our cities reflects the pride we have in our language.”
