The Government of Odisha has signed an MoU with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi for the establishment of the Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies at the JNU.
With a generous contribution of the Government of Odisha of one-time non-recurring corpus money for the endowment amounting to Rs 10 crore, the proposed Biju Patnaik Special Centre aims to delve into the leadership, governance, and contributions of the visionary leader of India, the Bhoomiputra of Indonesia and the former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik. It plans to initiate a Master’s Programme covering various facets of Odia studies, strengthen cultural bonds with the Odisha Diaspora, and promote contemporary Odia literature and art.
The MoU has been signed in the presence of Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Minister of Higher Education, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Development Commissioner-cum-ACS Anu Garg, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department Sujata Rout Karthikeyan.
On behalf of the Government of Odisha, Commissioner- cum-Secy Higher Education Department, Aravind Agrawal, and Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit from the JNU, New Delhi, signed the MoU.
The focus areas of this Special Centre include international teaching and research in Odia language and literature, exploring historical maritime linkages of the Kalinga Empire with South East Asia, diasporic connections, and promoting contemporary Odia culture through publications and collaborative research.
Other senior officers of the Higher Education Department, Odisha, and Prof Udaynath Sahu from Adikabi Sarala Das Chair, JNU, were present on the occasion.