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Konark: Union Culture Minister Chandresh Kumar Katoch on Sunday expressed hope that Odia language would get classical status soon.
"I hope Odia will be declared a classical language within a month," she said amid loud applause by the gathering.
She informed that her ministry has forwarded recommendation of the expert committee to the Union cabinet to accord classical status for Odia language.
Katoch was among one of the three Union ministers who were present at the foundation stone laying ceremony here for the Rs 36 crore beautification project at the Sun Temple by Archaeological Survey of India, National Culture Fund and Indian Oil Foundation. Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Srikant Kumar Jena and Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas M Veerappa Moily were also present on the occasion.
On Tuesday, the language expert committee of Kendra Sahitya Akademi had recommended classical status for Odia language after thorough examination of documents and materials presented in support of the long standing demand.
If accorded classical tag, Odia will be the sixth language to feature in the elite list which already has Sanskrit and four Dravidian languages like Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam as its members.
Tamil was the first language to be accorded classical tag, while Malayalam received the honour earlier this year.
