Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the Odisha government have officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies. The signing ceremony took place on Sunday, as per the official announcement.
The proposed center, backed by a significant one-time non-recurring corpus fund of Rs. 10 crore from the state government, aims to focus on the leadership, governance, and contributions of Biju Patnaik, the visionary leader and former Chief Minister of Odisha, as well as the Bhoomiputra of Indonesia.
The key objectives of the Biju Patnaik Special Centre include launching a Master’s Program that covers various aspects of Odia Studies, fostering stronger cultural ties with the Odisha Diaspora, and promoting contemporary Odia literature and art.
The signing of the MoU was witnessed by notable figures such as Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Minister of Higher Education, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Development Commissioner-cum-ACS Smt Anu Garg, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary OLLC Sujata R. Karthikeyan.
Representing the Government of Odisha, Commissioner-Secretary of the Higher Education Department, Arabind Agrawal, and Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit from JNU, New Delhi, formally signed the MoU.
The Biju Patnaik Special Centre’s focus areas encompass international teaching and research in Odia language and literature, investigating historical maritime connections of the Kalinga Empire with Southeast Asia, exploring diasporic links, and advancing contemporary Odia culture through publications and collaborative research.
Senior officers from the Higher Education Department of Odisha and Prof. Udaynath Sahu from Adikabi Sarala Das Chair, JNU, were also in attendance during the ceremony.
With inputs from ANI.
