New Delhi: The Odisha government today approved a grant of Rs 5 crore to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at Delhi to set up an Odia language chair in the name of legendary Odia poet Sarala Das.
According to sources, Rs 2 crore will be provided to the University in the first phase while the remaining Rs 3 crore will be granted in the second phase.
An MoU in this regard was signed between the Odisha Culture department and JNU. Culture department secretary, Manoranjan Panigrahi and JNU vice chancellor Prof Jagdesh Kumar signed the MoU.
While all the regional languages have got chairs in the JNU, the Odisha government decided to set up one after Odia was accorded classical language status.
The chair has been set up with an aim to promote research and propagation of Odia language.
“The chair will help promote Odia language. Moreover, it will facilitate research on various aspects of the language and on the culture and tradition of Odisha. It will also help non-Odias to know the origins of the language,” said Panigrahi.
The university wants to promote regional languages. Being an Odia myself, I am very happy that such a step has been taken. I will do whatever I can to promote and propagate the Odia language,” said Kumar.