Odia has larger vocabulary than English, says Odisha MP

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Varanasi, Jan 17:

Odia language has a treasure trove of three lakh words, which is far more than any other language, BJD MP from Odisha Prasanna Patsani said here recently.

Addressing a seminar on ‘Odia Language, Literature and Contemporaneity’ at K. N. Uduppa Auditorium, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi on  January 11, Patsani said it is a matter of dismay that the English language having no more than ten thousand was able to rule India for so long.

The event was organized by Varanaseya Utkal Samaj (VUS) in association with Odisha Sahitya Akademi to celebrate the classical language status of Odia Language. It was chaired by Girish Chandra Tripathi, Vice chancellor, BHU while Prasanna Kumar Patasani, eminent poet and Member of Parliament from Odisha was the chief guest.

Patasani, during the course of his deliberation, emphasized the rich heritage of Odia literature, language and culture and urged the audience to take the responsibility for the development and propagation of the language. He also advised that every Odia seminar and conference should be held in pure Odia dialect without the influence of any language.

Speaking on the occasion VC of BHU, Tripathi highlighted how the relationship between the different cultures and languages helps in the nation building.

Bishnu Prasad Mishra, Secretary of Odisha Sahitya Akademy informed about the activities of the academy and the role of the academy to promote and propagate Odia language while Amiya Samal, Secretary, VUS spoke on the objectives of the society to the delegates.

In the discussion panel, members suggested the importance of setting up an Odia Bhawan at Varanasi and Odia department at Banaras Hindu University.

There was cultural programme conducted by Dr. Swarna Khuntia with rhythm of Odia music. Supriya  Mohanty, Mousmi Besan and Saurav Panigrahi participated in the “Kabita Patha” session, Bilina Patra, Asit Mishra, Sarada  Prasana Dash  and his team performed in the musical session and Binda Paranjape presented their paper on different aspects of Odia language.

Eminent Odia personalities Ramachandra Behera, Antaryami Mishra, Dinanath Pathy, Kirtan Narayan Padhi, Shankarlal Purohit and Bijayanand Singh etc were also present on the occasion.