MOTHER TONGUE DAY CELEBRATED AT CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF ODISHA, KORAPUT
Nishapati Nayak,Odishabarta
KORAPUT:Matrubhasha Divas (Mother Tongue Day) was celebrated at the Central University of Odisha, Koraput on 21 February 2020 at its Sunabeda Campus. Prof. I Ramabrahmam, Vice-Chancellor of the University conveyed his best wishes to the University community for successful organizing the programme. On this occasion a special lecture on “Challenges to Mother tongue in the age of Globalization” was organized. Eminent critic and Researcher of Odisha, Prof. Debendra Kumar Dash delivered a lecture as the Chief Guest.
Prof. Sharat Kumar Palita, Dean, School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources; Prof. Asit Kumar Das, Registrar; Prof. Dugra Prasad, Visiting Professor, Dept. of Sociology; Prof. E. Raja Rao, Visiting Professor, Dept. of English Language and Literature; Prof. Krushna Chandra Pradhan, Visiting Professor, Dept. of Odia Language and Literature and Dr. Alok Kumar Baral, HoD I/c., Dept. of Odia Language and Literature spoke on this occasion as the Distinguished Guests. Dr. Alok Baral delivered the welcome address.
“Survival of Languages is like the survival of fish. Big language eats small languages like big fish eats small ones. Many languages have been dying all over the World. So in the context of globalization, survival of mother tongues faces many challenges” said Prof. Dash. He gave importance to love for own mother tongue, use and creation of market value of our mother tongue Odia, so that it can survive. He said “non availability of knowledge books in Odia language is one of the challenges for its survival. Initiative should be taken to make available all the subjects and knowledge in Odia Language, which can help our mother tongue, can survive and flourish”.
Prof. Palita highlighted the history and importance of the celebration of Mother Tongue Day. He said many counties and states have been separated and established for the sake of mother tongue. The state of Odisha is one of them, which was first state in India created on the basis of language. He advised for survival of our language we have to create love and care our language, and make its use wide spread.
Prof. Das the Registrar advised in a poetic way to learn various languages but the core of learning must be for the development of the mother land and mother tongue.
Prof. P. Durga Prasad highlighted the importance of our mother tongue. Prof. Pradhan put light on the need to work for the development of the mother tongue. Sharing his vast experience in the Odia literature he motivated the students to love and respect their mother tongue. Prof. E. Raja Rao advised the students to respect the mother tongue and learn more about it but simultaneously to be multilingual as well. He also advised that to know the local languages and use it in your native place.
The Chief Guest Dr. Dash was felicitated on the occasion. Dr. Rudrani Mohanty, Lecturer, Dept. of Odia Language and Literature presented the entire programme and Dr. Ganesh Prasad Sahu, Lecturer, Dept. of Odia Language and Literature gave vote of thanks. Prof. Dash and Prof. Pradhan have an informal interaction session with the students. Dr. Phaguanth Bhoi, Public Relation Officer and Dr. Jayant Kumar Nayak, Controller of Examination along with students and faculty members of the University were present at a large in this occasion.
