Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced that his government would work towards protecting and enhancing "Odia Asmita" (Odia pride).

He also said that a commission would be formed to promote the language and all administrative work would be done in Odia.

Majhi made this announcement after formally occupying the chief minister’s chair at the state secretariat, or the Lok Seva Bhawan. Majhi, who is aware that his party came to power on the “Odia Asmita” plank, which put the Naveen government on the back foot, said: “Steps will be taken for the cultural development of the state. The focus will be on the promotion and preservation of Odia Asmita.”

Maintaining that the Odia language will be used in all administrative work, Majhi said: “Translation Academy and Odisha Ashmita Bhawan will be set up. A language commission will be set up and the government work will be executed in the Odisha language. If needed, the Odisha Language Act will be amended.” The chief minister also announced that Odisha Sahitya Academy, Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy and Lalit Kala Academy will be reconstituted.

Stating that Odisha Bhasa Pratisthan (an institution for the preservation, development and extension of the Odia language) will be reconstructed, Majhi said: “Samanwita Sanskruta Bhawan (Culture Bhawan) will be set up at the district level. Steps will be taken to appoint Odia teachers in high schools.”

The chief minister said: “A library movement will be launched to promote reading habits. People’s feedback will be sought on steps to be taken for the promotion and preservation of the Odia language.”

Majhi entered the state secretariat on Thursday morning and sat on the chief minister’s chair on the third floor. After 24 years and three months, the state secretariat has welcomed a new chief minister.

He bowed down on his knees while entering the state secretariat as a mark of respect to the office. A rangoli was made on the floor of the entrance to welcome Majhi.

The newly appointed chief secretary, Manoj Ahuja, extended a traditional welcome to Majhi as the new chief minister entered the state secretariat amid Vedic chants.

All his ministerial colleagues were present to welcome Majhi to the state secretariat. After taking oath as chief minister on June 12, Mohan had been functioning from the state guest house, temporarily converted into the chief minister’s office.

Regarding using the Odia language for government work, senior journalist Pradeep Mohanty said: “It’s tough to use the Odia language in the administration. A government cannot do all these things. We need to change our mindset. We need to encourage our children to enrol in Odia-medium schools instead of getting them admitted into English-medium schools.”