Nabarangpur March, 7:The land of Nabarangpur will witness a historic and memorable chapter of discussions during the 50th session of Utkal Sammilani. This session is expected to remain a significant page in history for strengthening the identity of the Odia language, its literature, and the development of a prosperous Odisha through Utkaliya traditions.
At a time when separatist ideas such as demands for a Koshal State and a Dandakaranya State are being raised in some regions, concerns have also emerged in border areas of Odisha. In several villages of Nabarangpur district near the Chhattisgarh border—such as Jamili Pada in Chanda Handi block, Hati village of Raighar, and Bhaisabeda of Kosagumuda—some residents are reportedly being influenced to align with the neighboring state.
Similarly, in southern Odisha, attempts are allegedly being made by Andhra Pradesh to influence residents in border areas such as Kotia and the Deomali region.
To address these issues permanently, Utkal Sammilani has been creating awareness among both the Odisha Government and the Central Government. The organization’s central committee has repeatedly visited these regions and held discussions with local residents.
The organization has also demanded that greater importance be given to the use of the Odia language in border areas. It has suggested multilingual training for teachers at the primary school level and emphasized strengthening Odia language education in schools located in border regions.
Utkal Sammilani has also stressed cooperation with the government for preserving tribal traditions, festivals, and culture of Odisha, as well as promoting the state’s natural tourism resources.
In addition, the organization has highlighted the need to protect the interests of economically weaker people living in border areas by ensuring proper functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS), safeguarding forest land and mineral resources, and spreading awareness by observing the birth and death anniversaries of great personalities.
The organization has further urged the government to improve transportation and connectivity between border villages and nearby towns, create employment and business opportunities, and give special focus to agriculture and horticulture development.
It has also demanded permanent settlement of long-used land titles and protection of established boundaries through government intervention.
Despite government instructions to install concrete gateways and name boards displaying “Odisha” at entry points to border areas and to ensure that nameplates of all government and private institutions are written in the Odia language, these directives are not being implemented effectively. Utkal Sammilani has expressed concern over this issue and has repeatedly brought it to the government’s attention.
The organization also emphasizes strengthening special schools run by Utkal Sammilani in remote border areas to help safeguard regional identity and ensure border protection with government support.
Similarly, it has shown interest in holding discussions for protecting the Odia language, literature, and culture through more schools in Odia-speaking villages located in neighboring states such as Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
The above-mentioned general meeting is scheduled to be held on 25 February 2026 (Wednesday). The State President, Prof. Dr. Adwaita Kumar Patra, along with hundreds of representatives from 30 districts, is expected to attend the meeting.
The program is being organized by the Nabarangpur district branch of Utkal Sammilani under the leadership of District President Jagannath Mahapatra, with support from district representatives.
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