Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha MP Amar Patnaik has urged Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for setting up of an Odia language department at Delhi University.

There are dedicated language departments for Bengali, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu at Delhi University. The varsity is offering BA and other courses on the above said languages, said Patnaik in a letter to Pradhan.

“Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has always held that Odia language is a crucial facet of Odia identity and self-esteem. I am sure you will agree that every effort must be made to support and empower students who are eager to learn and expand the scope of their culture and language through formal education,” read the letter.

Odia was accorded the classical language status by the Centre in 2014. Odia is the sixth language and the first from the Indo-Aryan category to receive the coveted status, Patnaik said in his letter.

“Odia language has its own uniqueness. It will be a matter of pride for Odisha if an Odia language department opens at Delhi University. Besides, the students from Odisha and other states will have the opportunity to learn Odia at the prestigious varsity,” he added.

Research conducted by Delhi Odia Students’ Association has found that at least 200 students of Delhi University are eager to pursue courses in Odia language, claimed the BJD MP.

“Delhi University has at least 61 teachers who hail from Odisha. These teachers will definitely appreciate the setting up of an Odia language department at the varsity. I, therefore, request you to kindly direct the authorities at Delhi University to initiate prompt action in this regard,” Patnaik told the Union Education Minister.