The Odisha government and the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday signed an MoU for the establishment of Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia studies at the New Delhi varsity.
The state government will provide one-time assistance of Rs 10 crore to establish the centre.
The Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies will start a master's programme for Odia Studies, study Biju Patnaik's leadership and governance, study Jagannath culture, pursue the manuscriptology of ancient Odia literature and promote contemporary Odia literature and art, officials said.
The focus areas of this special centre include international teaching and research in Odia language and literature, exploring historical maritime linkages of the Kalinga Empire with Southeast Asia, diasporic connections and promoting contemporary Odia culture through publications and collaborative research.
Prior to the signing of the MoU, vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit met chief minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Nivas.
“During the discussion, Prof Pandit admired the chief minister’s transformational initiatives in Odisha that have brought visible changes in every sector of Odisha,” said a press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Describing Naveen as the finest example of co-operative federalism, Prof Pandit appreciated the efforts to promote Odia language and culture, and expand its scope beyond Odisha. “The Special Centre at JNU will create favourable conditions for the promotion of Odia language, literature and culture,” she said.
She also appreciated the efforts of the chief minister to promote regional languages and culture, developing a pan-Indian identity for them.
On behalf of the government of Odisha, secretary, higher education, Aravind Agrawal and Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit from JNU signed the MoU. The MoU was signed in the presence of the higher education minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak among others.
