Odisha govt proposes revision of English names of 7 districts and 24 places

Odishagovernment on Thursday announced its decision to revise the English names of seven districts in the state, along with correcting the English transliteration of 24 places across 11 districts. 

The move aims to align official English spellings more closely with the original Odia names. A formal notification to this effect was issued by the Revenue Department.

The proposed changes are part of a wider effort to standardise place names in official records and ensure consistency with Odia linguistic usage. The government has invited objections and suggestions from the public within a stipulated time frame before finalising the changes.

Alignment With Odia Spellings

According to the notification, the revised English spellings will reflect Odia pronunciation and usage. Under the proposal, Khordha district will be written as Khoradha. Kendrapara will be corrected to Kendrapada, and Nayagarh will be written as Nayagada. Similarly, Mahakalapara will be written as Mahakalapada.

The notification states, "Notice is hereby given for general information of the public that the Government of Odisha proposes to effect changes in the names of certain places within the State of Odisha, with a view to restoring their original Odia names and ensuring collect reflection of the State's linguistic, historical, and cultural heritage in official records."

Objections Invited Within 15 Days

The government has clarified that all stakeholders likely to be affected may submit objections or suggestions within 15 days from the date of publication of the notice. The notification further says, "All stakeholders likely to be affected by the proposed changes are hereby invited to submit their objections or suggestions, if any, in writing, along with supporting documents to the undersigned within 15 days from the date of publication of this Public Notice."

It also specifies, "Objections or suggestions received after the stipulated period shall not be entertained. In case no objection is received within the prescribed time, it shall be presumed that there is no objection from the public, and the Government may proceed further in the matter as per law."

List Of Proposed Transliteration Changes

The notification includes a detailed list of existing English names and their proposed corrected transliterations. These include Podia to Padia, Deogarh to Debagarh, Reamal to Riamal, Khondmal and Phulbani to Kandhamal, Khurda to Khoradha, Bolagarh to Bolagada, Banpur to Banapur, Jatni to Jatani, Angul to Anugol, Pallahara to Palalahada, Athagarh to Athagad, Salipur to Salepur, Baramba to Badamba, Balasore to Baleshwar, Nilgiri to Nilagiri, Aul to Ali, Kendrapara to Kendrapada, Makalapara to Mahakalapada, Keonjhar to Kendujhar, Barbil to Badbil, Keonihargarh to Kendujhargarh, Rairakhol to Redhakhol, Nayagarh to Nayagada, and Daspalla to Dashapalla.