Bhubaneswar, Oct 8: A high-level review meeting of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department was held at the conference hall under the chairmanship of Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. Several key decisions were taken to promote and preserve Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.

One of the major resolutions was the restoration of “Patherpuri,” the residence of Rabindranath Tagore located on Chakratirtha Road near the beach in Puri. The site will be converted into a memorial museum to honour the legacy of the Nobel laureate.

In preparation for the upcoming Bali Jatra festival in Cuttack starting November 5, a special “Theme Pavilion” will be constructed to showcase the contributions of legendary Odia writers and their works.

Also read: No-Drone Zone Declared for Bali Jatra Grounds in Cuttack

Indonesia will be invited as the partner country this year, and under the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative, a prominent Indian state will also participate. Cultural delegations from select South Asian countries will be invited to enrich the event.

Following support for Dhenkanal’s Gajalakshmi Puja, the department will now extend financial assistance to Kendrapara’s Gajalakshmi Puja, based on a request from the Mahakalpada MLA.

The department also decided to expedite the recruitment process for vacant posts in affiliated institutions such as the Odia University, Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Bibhuti Kanungo College of Art, and Khallikote College of Fine Arts and Crafts.

Additionally, the restoration of the historic Kalidas Temple in Kendrapara will be undertaken by the State Archaeology Department.

Lastly, the construction of the Odia Asmita Bhavan near the Sainik School in Bhubaneswar will be fast-tracked, with Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation assigned the task.

These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to preserving Odia identity and promoting cultural pride across the state.