Bhubaneswar, Jan 22: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday urged Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to take proactive measures to promote Odia language and education in the state, particularly in Surat, which is home to a large Odia-speaking community.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Pradhan proposed the establishment of more Odia medium schools in Gujarat, where only a limited number currently exist. He also suggested introducing Odia as an optional subject in colleges and universities, alongside the creation of dedicated Odia language departments to provide academic continuity for students from migrant Odia families.

Highlighting the contributions of Odia-speaking migrants to Gujarat’s industrial and social sectors, Pradhan noted that Surat alone has nearly 1.6 lakh Odia-speaking residents and around 30 Odia medium schools, both private and government-run schools. The letter followed a memorandum submitted by the ‘Surat Odia Samaj,’ which has long advocated for stronger institutional support for Odia education.

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Pradhan emphasised that expanding Odia language education would not only meet the aspirations of the community but also preserve their cultural identity. He pointed out that the lack of adequate facilities for Odia medium education has been a longstanding concern among migrant families.

Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Pradhan said the policy underscores the importance of mother tongue education at the foundational stage, promotion of Indian languages, and strengthening multilingual education. In this context, he stressed the need for robust institutional frameworks to support Odia language learning in Gujarat.

The Union Minister further recommended the adoption of NCERT-based curricula to ensure smooth academic transitions for students moving between Odisha and Gujarat. He also proposed the introduction of a Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for Odia language, which would help address the shortage of qualified Odia teachers in government schools.

Pradhan’s appeal reflects a broader effort to integrate linguistic diversity into mainstream education and to safeguard the cultural heritage of migrant communities across India.