By Our Correspondent
BARIPADA: The people of Mayurbhanj district are steeped in culture. The traditional folk song ‘Jhumar’, which is loved by the tribal community here, is a symbol of folk identity and folk expression. Jhumar is a reflection of the civilization and prosperity of this region, said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while participating in the ‘Jhumar Karmshala’ organized at Maharaja Sri Ramachandra Bhanjdeo University in Baripada on Monday.
In this workshop organized by ‘Odisha Jhumra Academy’ and ‘Maharaja Sriramachandra Bhanjdeo’ University, Shri Pradhan said that the contribution of Mayurbhanj and Maharaja Sriramachandra Bhanjdeo in the struggle for the formation of a separate Odisha state on the basis of language is unparalleled. Due to his patronage, Odia language literature has flourished. High-quality higher educational institutions like Cuttack SCB Medical College and Ravensa University have made a great contribution to the education and health sector of Odisha. Mayurbhanj has contributed not only to the development of the district with its meager means, but also to the rise of the language and literature of the entire Odisha. Mayurbhanj is always changing. The centuries-old Talpothi of Mayurbhanj are collected in Haridwar, which shows the grandeur and depth of the district.
Shri Pradhan further said that the Honorable President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu, has glorified Mayurbhanj. It is the responsibility of all of us to glorify the art, heritage and history of this district. Sanskrit education should be promoted. Sanskrit education should be revived to understand the study of the Vedas. Plans should be made to popularize folk songs and dances like Jhumra and Chhau. Only then will the ‘Developed Odisha’ and ‘Developed India’ envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi become a reality, he said.
On this occasion, Shri Pradhan dedicated the indoor stadium and hospital on the university campus. Before attending the program, Shri Pradhan paid homage to the statue of Maharaja Shri Ramachandra Bhanjadeo on the university campus.
Odisha School and Public Education Minister Nityananda Gand, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krishna Chandra Mohapatra, Lok Sabha MP Navcharan Majhi, Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Mahanta, MLAs of Mayurbhanj district and members of Odisha Jhumra Academy were prominently present in this workshop.
