School of Tribal Languages and Literatures, KISS-DU celebrated Utkal Dibasa on 1st April 2022. Professor Deepak Kumar Behera unveiled the Wall Magazine of the School of Tribal Languages and Literatures, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, KISS-DU, in the presence of Dr.KanhuCharanMahali, Director General, KISS, DU, and Dr.IswarChandra Naik, Chairman, Council of Deans and other delegates.
In her inaugural address, Dr. Rasmita Tripathy, Dean, School of Tribal Languages and Literatures, delivered a brief introduction on the day’s significance. She cited how Odisha was declared an independent state on 1st April 1936. Further, she also mentioned that we must pay tribute to the legends and the freedom fighters of the state and their role in bringing back the glory and identity of the Odia people and the state in terms of the Odia language.
While delivering the Welcome Address, Professor Deepak Kumar Behera, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, KISS-DU, emphasized the indomitable attempts by the various leaders to bring the splendor and glory of independent Odisha. In his address, Professor Beheramentioned the formation of the Odisha state and initial attempts by UtkalaSammilani, founded in 1903 as a cultural and social organization.In this context, he cited the main purpose of Utkal Sammilani was to unite the state scattered over several provincial administrations and protect the interest of the Odia people by staying at a distance.Moreover, he detailed the idea of dialect, language, and literature to clarify all the doubts among the student participants. Prof, Behera urged all the participants to remember the sacrifice of our forerunners and to cherish their ideas for further advancement.
In turn, Dr. KanhuCharanMahali, Director General, KISS-DU, reiterated the contributions of such great men like Utkala Mani Pandita Gopabandu Das, Utkala Gaurav Madhusudan Das, ByasaKabiFakirmohan Senapati, King of Paralakhemundi, Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati, Pandita Godabarisa Mishraand many more in gifting us a unique identity. In his speech, he stated that language is the gift of civilization used to express our ideas and thoughts, making us different from animals.Dr. Mahali also spoke on the importance of grammar and literature.
JugeswarBhoi, UG 3rd year student, gave an eloquent speech on the historical aspects of Odisha as a state and mentioned the treasured memories of prodigious personalities in getting our identity despite many hurdles. He concluded that love for the mother tongue is the key to excellence. The session was summed up by Dr. Rashmita Tripathy, Dean, School of Tribal Languages and Literartures.
In his deliberation, Dr. Iswar Chandra Naik, Chairman, Council of Deans, KISS-DU restated the sacrifice of our predecessors and expressed concern on how we consumed 100 years to form Utkal Sammilani and he also offered a Vote of Thanks.
