Bhubaneswar: Special editions of ‘Utkal Prasanga’ and ‘Odisha Review’ published by the Information & Public Relations (I&PR) Department were released on Monday on the occasion of the first World Odia Language Conference.
While unveiling the special edition, Information & Public Relations Minister Pradip Kumar Amat said that these two magazines have continuously promoted Odia language; literature and culture since 1944. He expressed the hope that this special edition in addition to sensitizing the future generation towards the mother tongue, will become a useful and collector’s treasured item.
Principal Secretary of the I&PR Department Sanjay Kumar Singh informed that the older issues of ‘Utkal Prasanga’ and ‘Odisha Review’ have been digitized. These issues are available for the readers at the department’s website, he said. The State government has made such arrangements for the benefit of Odia-speaking people staying abroad, he added.
Chairman of Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) Lenin Mohanty said that in these two magazines, several rare and ancient write-ups on the Odisha language and literature have been published. He opined that students and researchers can familiarize themselves with the evolution of modern Odia language and literature through these magazines.
Editor of ‘Utkal Prasanga’ and ‘Odisha Review’ Kasturi Mohapatra said that both the magazines are being published as mouthpieces of the Odisha government before independence. These magazines have gained a lot of readership and have created a special identity among the people of Odisha. She informed that 19 articles have been published in the special issue of ‘Utkal Prasanga’ and 27 articles have been published in ‘Odisha Review’.
Director of the I&PR Department Saroj Samal while proposing the vote of thanks said that Odia is an ancient language which is over 2000 years old. He said several litterateurs have enriched it through their contributions. The language conference is the appropriate occasion to honour them.
