Bhubaneswar: A virtual interaction with non-resident Odias was held on Thursday to discuss their role in building a ‘Viksit Odisha 2036’ as part of the Utkal Gaurab Madhusudan Das Odisha Return Memorial Day observance.
The meeting was organised jointly by the Odisha Paribar Nirdeshalaya and Odisha Sahitya Akademi under the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture. It was chaired by Odisha Sahitya Akademi Secretary Chandra Sekhar Hota.
Hota recalled Madhusudan Das’ contribution to the movement for a separate Odisha province and his efforts to unite Odias and promote the distinct identity of the Odia language, literature and culture.
He said Odias living outside the state have an important role in taking Odisha’s cultural identity to national and international platforms and contributing to the development of the state by 2036.
Eminent litterateur Dash Benhur also spoke about Madhusudan Das’ life and contribution to the formation of a separate Odisha province. He urged non-resident Odias to promote the state’s traditional arts, culture and the Jagannath tradition beyond Odisha and India.
Non-resident Odias from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, Dubai, London and other places participated in the interaction and shared their initiatives for promoting Odia culture outside the state.
The participants expressed their commitment to strengthening Odia identity and showcasing Odisha’s cultural heritage on the global stage.
Pritish Panda, Special Duty Officer, Odisha Paribar Nirdeshalaya, coordinated the meeting.
