Odisha CM announces year-long celebrations to mark centenary of ‘Ol Chiki' script
The Chief Minister announced during his address at a special event held at Mahuldiha village in Rairangpur of Mayurbhanj district on Monday, to commemorate the centenary celebrations of the invention of the Ol Chiki script and the 120th birth anniversary of the inventor of the script, Guru Gomke Pandit Raghunath Murmu.
Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi said: "Pandit Murmu was not just an individual but a movement, a consciousness, and a visionary of art and culture. The 100-year celebration of the Ol Chiki script is not just a tribute to a literary invention of an inventor, but a recognition of the language, culture, and identity of an entire indigenous community."
He said that the invention of the 'Ol Chiki' script by Murmu was a new chapter in the development of a culture.
Majhi further stated that Pandit Murmu is not just a purveyor of knowledge and education; he has revealed the inner values of this land. He emphasised that language is more than a medium of communication—it represents identity, existence, and expression. Societies that take pride in their language naturally progress.
'Ol Chiki is a symbol of that pride, and it strengthens the community through education, solidarity, and culture,' Majhi said.
The Chief Minister reiterated the state's commitment to Santali language development through initiatives in primary education, textbook preparation, teacher training, and linguistic research.
He noted that Odisha has integrated Pandit Murmu's name into its educational and cultural policies.
'The path shown by Pandit Murmu remains radiant for the Santali society. I wish future generations to continue to uphold his values, knowledge, and love for culture,' the Chief Minister added, calling for mutual respect and harmony across languages, faiths, and cultures.
The Chief Minister also announced on this occasion that an international seminar will be organised to promote and propagate the Santali language.
He informed in his speech that the 'Ol Chiki' library will be established in Baripada to make all the books written by Pandit Murmu accessible to the public.
He further announced the construction of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Open Theatre-Museum, and a heritage building at his workplace to honour Murmu.
Majhi also informed that Pandit Murmu's ancestral residence at Dandbose will be developed as a Memorial Pilgrimage Site.
The Chief Minister announced a special package of Rs 50 crore for the above purpose.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
26 minutes ago
- Indian Express
States raise revenue loss concerns: GoM backs Centre's plan for GST rate rationalisation
The Group of Ministers on Rate Rationalisation gave its in-principle support Thursday to the Centre's proposal to overhaul the Goods and Services Tax (GST) design, even as member states raised concerns about potential revenue loss on account of the rate rationalisation. Six days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, announced the next big phase of reforms under the GST regime by Diwali, a gift for the common man, small entrepreneurs and MSMEs, in terms of reduced tax burden. The Centre has suggested replacing multiple slabs – 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent – with a broad two-slab structure – 5 per cent and 18 per cent – in addition to a 40 per cent special rate for sin and demerit goods. States said they do not oppose the 'pro-people' proposal, but it may result in revenue losses that will ultimately leave them with less resources to spend on common people in their regions. While Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and GoM convenor Samrat Choudhary spelt out the panel's support for the GST overhaul proposal, he said observations made by states will be referred to the GST Council. Detailed discussions on items will be taken up in the Council, he said. 'We have deliberated upon the Centre's proposal to remove the two GST slabs, we have given our support and recommendations. Now, the GST Council will decide. All states gave their views, there were some observations by some states. Those will be referred to the GST Council,' Choudhary said. The differing views and observations of states on revenue loss and concerns over profiteering by manufacturers and companies will be part of the note that the GoM will send to the Council along with the Centre's proposal. Some states were also of the view that the work done by the GoM over the last few years will now essentially be wasted as they would be simply handing over the Centre's proposal to the GST Council. 'We have neither approved nor rejected it. Centre cannot give its proposal directly to the Council, so we will be just handing over the Centre's proposal to the Council,' a top state government official told The Indian Express. States are learnt to have sent their suggestions for the GoM's note on a mechanism to compensate states that will address their revenue loss concerns. States are anticipating annual revenue loss of Rs 6,000-10,000 crore, the official said. West Bengal's Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya echoed a similar view and said they are 'okay with the pro-people proposal' but it is not an agreement. The Centre's proposal has not outlined the figure for revenue loss on account of the GST rate rationalisation and the proposal should not move ahead without detailing a mechanism for compensating states for revenue loss. 'It's not an agreement in that way. If it's there, it is okay. If it is pro-people, then it's okay. But it has to be discussed in the Council's meeting also. There is no benefit in discussing it item-by-item in the GoM meeting. It will be discussed item-by-item in the (GST) Council meeting. While presenting a report to the GST Council, they will give a note of what we have said,' she said. Bhattacharya said no state had any issue in accepting the pro-people GST overhaul proposal. 'All states are pro-people. There is no doubt about it. It's nothing to talk about in politics. They are pro-people, let us take it for granted. But when the states lose their revenue, that also ultimately goes back to common people. That has to be looked into. That is what we have said,' she said. 'Because to give relief to common people should not mean that there isn't much left to spend on them after that, we have to think about that. That's why we have said that while you give the presentation, you must quantify it (revenue loss),' she said. She also said that ministers from BJP-ruled states have concurred with the suggestions. 'But we have said we are there, if it benefits people, we are okay. On the one hand it reaches people and on the other hand see what is the loss we (states) are facing. Ultimately if a state suffers any loss, that ultimately boils down to the suffering of the common man,' she said. Uttar Pradesh's Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said the Centre's proposal was welcomed by all member states saying it is in the interest of the common man. 'States were asking that they should be compensated for revenue loss. The revenue loss will be calculated. Ultra luxury goods and sin goods will attract 40 per cent,' he said. Revenue loss concerns of states stem from the plan to prune the list of items in the 12 per cent slab and shift them to 5 per cent. There is also a concern that most items the existing 28 per cent slab. The Centre plans to introduce a special rate of 40 per cent, which will apply only to 5-7 sin, demerit and luxury items. States revenue loss concerns stem from the plan to prune the list of items in the 12 per cent slab and shift them to 5 per cent. There is also a concern that most items in the existing 28 per cent slab will shift to 18 per cent slab except sin and demerit goods. The Centre plans to introduce a special rate of 40 per cent, which will apply only to 5-7 sin, demerit and luxury items. Some states have suggested amending the GST laws to allow for an additional levy going beyond the current cap of 40 per cent (20 per cent Central GST plus 20 per cent State GST). Some of the items right now attract GST of 60-70 per cent, Bhattacharya said, adding that the law should be amended to ensure that the current tax incidence, especially on sin goods, remains at the current level.
India Today
33 minutes ago
- India Today
Karnataka refers crowd control bill to house committee amid Opposition concerns
The Karnataka government has moved to refer the Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Place of Gathering) Bill, 2025 to a house committee after facing strong opposition from rival parties over concerns it could restrict protests and affect cultural and religious Bill, tabled in the Assembly by Home Minister G Parameshwara, was introduced in the wake of the June 4 stampede outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, which claimed 11 lives. Parameshwara described the tragedy as a 'wake-up call' and said the legislation aims to ensure crowd safety and hold event organisers accountable. advertisementThe Bill requires organisers of events expecting 7,000 or more people to obtain police permission in advance, with those expecting over 50,000 attendees additionally required to provide an indemnity bond of Rs 1 crore. Applications for permission must initially be submitted ten days before the event, though Parameshwara later agreed to reduce this period to five days following opposition concerns. The legislation specifies that unpermitted events could attract penalties including imprisonment of up to seven years and fines of Rs 1 crore. Events resulting in injury or fatalities would carry up to seven years' imprisonment for injuries and up to life for or breaches of peace during events could result in three years' imprisonment and fines of Rs 50,000. The Bill exempts family functions and private events, including those in leased or hired venues, while religious events, mass marriages, and government functions are to be BJP legislator Suresh Kumar criticised the Bill as an 'afterthought' following the High Court's questions on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for crowd management, describing it as a 'postmortem Bill.'Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka expressed concerns that the Bill could become a tool for police misuse, asking, 'All political parties hold programmes or events. If something goes wrong, then what'll be the fate of that party? This must be thought about. This should not become a weapon for police. Think and frame rules.'Other legislators, including Bijapur City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and BJP MLA Sunil Kumar, echoed these concerns, warning that powers granted under the Bill could be misused to target protests or certain communities, and questioned its applicability to spontaneous protests, religious festivals, or government events. Yatnal alleged the Bill seemed intended 'to target events of one religion and curtail protests' and warned it was 'more dangerous than what was done by the British.'Responding to the opposition, Parameshwara agreed to amend certain clauses, reducing the advance notice period to five days and exempting religious events, mass marriages, and government functions. Despite these assurances, opposition members maintained that the Bill required careful scrutiny before enactment and called for its referral to a house committee. The Speaker, UT Khader, subsequently confirmed that the Assembly's House Committee would review the legislation for detailed consideration.- EndsIN THIS STORY#Karnataka
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Karnataka's Rs 10 crore aid to Wayanad: BJP cries foul, Congress cites humanity
A political clash has erupted in Karnataka after the state government granted Rs 10 crore in aid for the rehabilitation of landslide victims in Wayanad, Kerala. The decision, part of a supplementary budget, has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, which questioned the government's priorities, alleging it is ignoring the debts of its own farmers. The BJP also accused the Congress of misusing funds for political reasons. The Congress has defended the move as a humanitarian act and a federal responsibility. It countered by arguing that if the Prime Minister can send aid to other countries, the state government should not be questioned for assisting a neighbouring state, adding that if they are wrong, then PM Modi is also wrong. The controversy arises as the state government has reportedly faced challenges with funding its own MLAs.
