Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved a proposal to effect changes in the English spelling of names of 64 places across 26 districts in the state.

The Revenue Department had earlier proposed changes in the English spelling of several places in Odisha with an aim to restore their original Odia names and ensure accurate pronunciation in line with their original names.

The department had invited suggestions and proposals in this regard from the common people. It had also appointed a high-level committee led by eminent litterateur Pratibha Ray to examine the suggestions and proposals received from the public.

After examining the suggestions, the panel had recommended changes in the English spelling of names of 64 places across 26 districts in Odisha.

“The Odisha Cabinet has approved the proposal for the correction of the distorted spellings of 64 places in the state, including several districts, district headquarters towns, sub-divisions, blocks and tahsils,” said the state government.

With the cabinet approval, the state government has brought changes in the English spelling of three prominent cities—Cuttack, Berhampur and Rourkela. Henceforth, Cuttack will be written as ‘Katak’, Berhampur as ‘Brahmapur’ and Rourkela as ‘Raurkela’.  

Approved changes

Angul—Anugola

Pallahara—Palalahada

Talcher—Talacher

Bolangir—Balangir

Bangamunda—Bangomunda

Balasore—Baleshwar

Nilgir—Nilagiri

Soro—Sora

Bargarh—Baragada

Rajborasambar—Rajbodasambar

Bonth—Banta

Boudhgarh—Boudhagada

Cuttack—Katak

Athagarh—Athagada

Salipur—Salepur

Baramba—Badamba

Deogarh—Debagada

Reamal—Riamal

Berhampur—Brahmapur

Hinjilicut—Hinjilikatu

Aska—Asika

Suruda—Sorada

Dasarathpur—Dasharathpur

Dharmasala—Dharmashala

Belpahar—Belpahad

Dharamgarh—Dharmagada

Junagarh—Junagada

Jaipatna—Jayapatna

Lanjigarh—Lanjigada

Bhawanipatna—Bhabanipatana

Khondmal—Kandhamala

Kendrapara—Kendrapada

Aul—Aali

Mahakalapara—Mahakalapada

Keonjhar—Kendujhar

Barbil—Badabil

Keonjhargarh—Kendujhargada

Khurda—Khodha

Balagarh—Bolagada

Banpur—Banapur

Jatni—JataniJeypore—Jayapur

Podia—Padia

Betnoti—Betanati

Samakhunta—Shamakhunta

Moroda—Morada

Rasgovindpur—Rasagobindapur

Panchpir—Panchapidha

Umerkote—Umarkot

Nayagarh—Nayagada

Daspalla—Dashapalla

Khariar—Khadial

Nimapara—Nimapada

Rairakhol—Redhakhol

Sonepur—Sonpur

Binka—Binika

Sundargarh—Sundaragada

Bonaigarh—Banaigada

Koira—Koida

Lephripara—Lephripada

Subdega—Sabdega

Bargaon—Badagan

Lahunipara—Lahunipada 

Rourkela—Raurkela

The state government will issue a gazette notification and intimate the Centre as well as its agencies including the Survey of India, Indian Railways, Department of Posts, the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India and other relevant ministries and departments to update their records.  

“This initiative has been undertaken to preserve and promote the linguistic heritage, cultural identity and historical authenticity of Odisha,” said the state government.