Bhubaneswar: English can serve as a link language, but it cannot replace our mother tongue, said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the state-level Bharatiya Bhasa Utsav held today at the Lok Seva Bhavan Convention Center.
The Chief Minister expressed concern about the diminishing use of Odia among children, especially those studying in English-medium schools. He noted, “These days, speaking English is seen as a fashion, but many students are unable to read Odia. This is a matter of sorrow.”
Majhi reiterated the importance of the mother tongue, emphasizing that while English and Hindi can act as link languages, they cannot substitute native languages. To preserve and promote Odia, the state government has mandated the use of Odia in official files. Many departments have already begun implementing this directive.
The Bharatiya Bhasa Utsav was organized to commemorate the birth anniversary of renowned Tamil poet Subramania Bharati and carried the theme “Unity through Language.”
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, “This festival symbolizes our cultural pride and linguistic diversity, which is India’s greatest strength.”
Majhi highlighted Bharati’s contributions to Tamil literature, Indian languages, and social reform, emphasizing his forward-thinking views on equality, women’s empowerment, and education.
Bharati’s revolutionary poetry inspired youth to fight for freedom and embrace progressive ideas, with works like ‘Achaamilai Achaamilai’ encouraging fearlessness and the rejection of orthodoxy.
The Chief Minister also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives to honor cultural icons, such as the nationwide 75-day program celebrating Bharati’s contributions from September to December last year and the installation of the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel.
Majhi noted that Odisha is aligning with this vision through initiatives like scholarships named after Madho Singh and the celebration of Harekrushna Mahatab’s birth anniversary.
Majhi underscored the importance of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in promoting regional languages. The policy encourages the inclusion of mother tongues in education, with Odisha enabling students to pursue courses in fields like medicine and engineering in Odia. He stated, “These steps will enhance students’ educational and mental development while preserving our linguistic heritage.”
The program also featured remarks from Minister of School and Mass Education Nityanand Gond, who stressed that language reflects a community’s culture, heritage, and thoughts. Development Commissioner Anu Garg delivered the welcome address, emphasizing linguistic unity and urging students to contribute ideas for Odisha’s Vision Document 2036.
Chief Minister Majhi distributed awards to winners of various competitions held in connection with the event. Annapurna Mishra of Baruneshwar Government High School, Jajpur, won first prize in the poster-making competition. District-level team competitions for journal creation saw Cuttack win first place, with Sambalpur and Nayagarh securing second and third places, respectively.
The event concluded with the Chief Minister viewing exhibits of booklets and alphabets from various languages, particularly tribal languages, showcasing Odisha’s rich linguistic diversity.
