Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patanaik Friday launched the new web portal of Odia Virtual Academy (www.ova.gov.in) where 170 Odia books have been uploaded in Unicode format with an aim to promote Odia language and literature.
Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik said, “It’s a matter of pleasure that the new web portal of Odia Virtual Academy (OVA) is being dedicated today.”
“Our Odia language is very rich and glorious. It has also been accorded with the national language status. Starting from medieval period to the modern era, a very good literature has been created in Odia language,” he said.
The OVA has taken the responsibility of digitisation, preservation and publication of those rich literary creations, he said, adding, “This will pave the path for the wide publicity and spread of Odia language, literature and culture throughout the world.”
The Chief Minister hoped that the academy would immensely benefit the Odia people especially youths, residing across the world.
On the occasion, three MoUs were also signed. A tripartite agreement has been signed between OVA, University of Chicago and Odia Language and Literature department. The OVA also signed two other MoUs with C-DAC and Centre for Internet and Society, Bengaluru to expedite digitisation of Odia literature and development of Odia software.
Electronics and IT minister Chandra Sarathi Behera said 170 Odia literature books written by renowned poets and writers had been digitalised and uploaded in the portal. Many other such books will be put up in the portal in the coming days, he said.
With the use of IT, Odia language, literature and culture will not only be promoted at the global level, but it will also protect the books for future generations, the minister said.
Behera also said that OVA will organise workshops at schools and colleges for promotion of Odia language, literature and culture.
Continued on P5