**Bhubaneswar: ** In a major move to restore the glory of the Odia language and advanced learning in Odia language, the Odisha Assembly passed the University of Odia Language and Literature Bill, 2017 on Thursday for establishment of a unitary university for research and higher studies in Odia language.
Tabling the Bill, Higher Education Minister Anant Das said the proposed university will be set up in Bhubaneswar and would provide PG courses in literary criticism, evolution of east Indian language scripts, historical scripts, archaeology, musicology and translation into and from Odia, epigraphy, etc.
It will promote in-depth studies on various regional and tribal languages to comprehend their impact on Odia and also will give opportunity for comparative studies with ancient scripts like Pali, Prakrit and Sanskrit.
The University would undertake programmes which would make Odia script more adaptable to advanced science and computer technology.
It is worth mentioning that BJD had promised the Odia Language University Bill in its electoral manifesto before 2014 assembly polls.
In August 2016, the state government enacted the rules of the Odisha Official Language Act, 1954, formally bringing it into force for official work in Odia language. According to the Act, Odia has to be used for all gazette notifications, bills, amendment, acts, ordinances, orders, rules and regulations issued by the state government.
In February 2014, Odia became the sixth language of the country to get classical language status after the Union Cabinet conceded a long-pending demand.