Report by OD bureau; New Delhi: Odisha Culture and tourism minister Prafulla Samal on Sunday150 Birth Anniversary celebration of renowned Odia poet Gangadhar Meher at India International Centre in New Delhi.  Addressing the gatherings Minister Samal said that centre should accord 'classical' status to Odia language and Odissi Music soon.

"I feel Odia language deserves to be accorded the classical status as defined by the Union ministry of culture. Odia language has a history of 1500-2000 years," said minister Samal. He further added even Sanskrit language is influenced by Odia language. He also said the state government will organize similar programs on other son of the soil of Odisha in every year outside Odisha.

Inaugurating the festival here Samal discussed the role of poet Gangadhar Meher for the unification Odisha and promotion of Odia language. He said state government will provide all the support to Odisha Sahitya Academy for the promotion of Odia language within and outside Odisha. He said that the state government will help Odisha Sahitya Academy for the publishing of 'Chabila Madhu Barna Bodha', Odia dictionary and other important Odia literature books.

Renowned author Manoj Das addressed the memorial speech on poet Gangadhar Meher. He described poet Gangadhar Meher as the brightest example of history. He said Meher is not only a poet, he is a 'Jana Nayak' in Odia language. Mr. Dash stresses on need for promotion and safeguard of Odia language in every level. He urged the parents to teach their children in Odia. He hails the efforts of Odisha Sahitya Academy to organize such event outside Odisha. OSA Secretary Bijaya Kumar Nayak introduced all the guests during this occasion. The function was presided over by Odisha Sahitya Academy president Dr. Ramachadra Behera. Academy also organized to organize cultural programs during this occasion. Nearly 1 thousand Odia people attended the program.