The proposed Odia University would be set up at Satyabadi (Sakhigopal) in Puri district. The state government has earmarked 25 acres of land for the purpose.
The decision was taken at the first heritage cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Shri Naveen Patnaik at the state secretariat on Friday.
“The place– Satyabadi has a significant position in Odisha history. It is the land of famous Panchasakha (five comrades). The Satyabadi Bana Vidyalaya, established by them, had played an important role in Indian freedom struggle. In honour of the Panchasakha, it was decided in the heritage cabinet to set up the Odia varsity at Satyabadi,” said chief secretary AP Padhi after the meeting.
The Bana Vidyalaya was established by the famous Panchasakha–Pandit Gopabandhu Das, Acharya Harihar Das, Pandit Nilakantha Das, Krupasindhu Mishra and Godavarish Mishra– to improve educational system in the state during the pre-independence period. The school infused patriotism among students through education and taught them the value service to mankind.
The proposed varsity would offer post graduate courses in Odia language and literature. It would also facilitate research activities on literary criticism, evolution of east Indian language scripts, historical scripts, archaeology and translation into and from Odia.
The heritage cabinet was formed with an aim to propagate and preserve the rich heritage, culture of Odisha and enrich Odia language. The decision in this regard was taken at a special cabinet meeting in Puri on December 26, last year.
Prasanta Patnaik