On Wednesday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik virtually opened the new Odia University campus in Satyabadi, Puri district.
An office block, classrooms, two residence hall buildings and a restaurant are all located on the university campus. Currently, the university is admitting up to 180 students. Students, instructors, and the vice chancellor were present at the opening ceremony.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister stated, “Utkalmani Gopabandhu’s karmabhoomi, or workplace, was Satyabadi. I’m overjoyed to officially open Odia University here. I’d like to congratulate the university’s students on this achievement.
Additionally, he noted that good literary works based on our customs and culture require inspiration.
Patnaik said that Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das chose Satyabadi as his workplace and called it the shrine of Odia literary renaissance. Additionally, he honoured the sons of the soil who made significant contributions to the Odia language.
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the state government for ‘hurriedly’ inaugurating the Odia University ahead of the upcoming elections.
BJP leader Ramaranjan Baliarsingh said, “We welcome the establishment of the Odia University and do not oppose it,” while speaking to a press conference. However, I am offended by the university’s hasty opening in front of the World Odia Sammilani in February as an Odia, a local, and a former people’s representative.
“If we consider ourselves to be true Odias, we should first welcome the establishment of the Odia University,” responded BJD leader Bhupinder Singh. How many universities are dedicated to teaching just one language in the nation?
