By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:History is a mirror for moving forward in the future; therefore, taking inspiration from Kalinga’s rich industrial tradition and glorious past, we must build a special bridge to build the future of Odisha, said Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan while participating in the 90th Utkal Day celebrations and annual festival of the ‘Utkal Association of Madras’ at Chennai, the cultural heart of Tamil Nadu, on Sunday.
Speaking at the event, the Union Minister said that both Tamil of Tamil Nadu and Odia of Odisha are the richest classical languages of India. Just as Tamil Nadu is a unique treasure trove of knowledge, science, language and ancient civilization, our Odisha is also a rich center of culture, spirituality and art. Even today, that ancient bridge of knowledge and work has not weakened at all. This relationship has been further enhanced through the dear Odia diaspora brothers and sisters living in Chennai city.
Shri Pradhan said that in 1936, Odisha was formed as the first linguistic state of the country. And after 10 years, i.e. in 2036, we are going to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The next 10 years are very important for our nation. At this time, our responsibility to take the Odia language, caste, identity and self-respect to new heights has increased. In order to make India a developed nation by 2047, Odisha will have to be developed into the most influential economy of the country with the blessings of the Lord.
Similarly, recalling the past trading tradition, he said that when our ancestors and the noble sons of Odisha used to sail across the South Seas for trade, the coast of Tamil Nadu was their most important center. This relationship is not a new relationship, it is in our blood, it is in the pages of our history. We only have to remember the past, take inspiration from history and move forward. In this great bridge of nation building, we all have to contribute like the Dharmapada who laid the foundation stone for the Konark Sun Temple. He expressed the hope that the leadership of building a scientific bridge should start from this land of Tamil Nadu, keeping in mind the goal of that centenary year of 2036.
During this visit, the Union Minister laid the foundation stone of ‘Utkal Seva Sadan’ and expressed the hope that this institution will become a laboratory for social development for the Odia people. He said that Odia society is a responsible and spiritual society. After being successful, it is our culture to think only about ourselves and the poor and helpless people of the society. Great personalities like Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, Veer Surendra Sai and Bakshi Jagabandhu gave up everything with the idea of ’Nar Seva hi Narayan Seva’. Finally, Shri Pradhan called upon the Odia society to be more courageous, proud, hardworking and self-confident.
He expressed his happiness that the conservation and restoration work of Odisha’s glorious Konark Temple and Deogarh Palace is underway in collaboration with IIT Madras.
