This story is from October 24, 2016

'State government not implementing language law in letter and spirit'

Bhasha Suraksha Sammilani, an organization fighting for the promotion of Odia language, alleged that the state government is not implementing the language act in letter and spirit at a state-level convention here on Sunday.
'State government not implementing language law in letter and spirit'
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BHUBANESHWAE: Bhasha Suraksha Sammilani, an organization fighting for the promotion of Odia language, alleged that the state government is not implementing the language act in letter and spirit at a state-level convention here on Sunday.
Sammilani president Baishnab Parida said no progress has been made since the language law came into effect in the state. "The government officials don't write letters in Odia or use it as a medium of communication," he added.

After formulating the law and language division to look after the affairs of the lingua franca, the process for promotion of Odia initiated by the government has slowed down, Parida said in the convention.
Noted linguist Debi Prasanna Patnaik said the government should set up an Official Language Commission to implement the act and promote the language effectively. He added that the commission will review the use of official language in all government and other offices and keep an eye on the denigration of the language in the state. It will also give suggestions to the government on innovative steps for publicity and promotion of language and its literature in national and international level, he explained.
Political leaders like Biswabhushan Harichandan, Kharabela Swain and Panchanan Kanungo stressed on reawakening of people's feeling for preservation and promotion of their own language. " We will create a huge public opinion about massive use of the language in every sector of life," they added.
Intellectuals like former diplomat Abasar Beuria, Satkadi Hota and activists like Krishna Mohanty urged the government for appointment of Odia teachers in school, colleges and universities of the state immediately.
Parida said the state government has opened several model English medium schools in the name of development of education. But it failed to develop the Odia medium schools which are in distress condition, he added.
He also urged the government to simplify the language while sending any communication to common people.
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About the Author
Hemanta Pradhan

Hemanta Pradhan writes for the Times of India on education, hospital issues, transport, agriculture & tribal affairs. He has been working as a journalist since 2011. He has a PG degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from Berhampur University. He has won Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity.

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