The first World Odia Language Conference will be organised in Bhubaneswar in February 2024. A three-day conference will be organised in Odisha in February 2024.

In this context, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Ashwini Kumar Patra has informed the media about the decision of the State Heritage Cabinet.
Linguists of national and international repute have been invited to address the thematic sessions of the First World Odia Language Conference.
Students from across the state will attend Bhubaneswar extensively to participate in this first World Odia Language Conference.

Objective of World Odia Language Conference:

Such events will be aimed at promoting the Odia language among the youth, with a special focus.
Educational institutions and universities will organise their own programs during this conference.
By hosting the first World Odia Language Conference, the promotion, dissemination and research work of the Odia language will be enhanced.

Origin of Odia language:

Odia is a language spoken in the state of Odisha. It is also the official language of the state government of Odisha. As a linguistic family, Odia is an Aryan language. The Odia language is closely related to modern Bengali, Maithili, Nepali and Assamese languages.
Being an Eastern Indo-Aryan language, it is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family. Odia is considered to be the descendant of the Prakrit language called Purva Magadhi. It was used in India 1500 years ago.
The oldest example of written Odia language is found in Madala Panji (register of Jagannath temple of Puri), which was written on palm leaves.

About Odisha State:

Odisha (earlier Orissa) was created as a separate state on April 1, 1936 by separating it from the province of Bengal-Bihar-Orissa. Before independence, it was a part of Bengal Presidency.
The name Odisha originates from the Sanskrit word 'Odra'.
In ancient times, Odisha was part of the Kalinga Empire.
Jharkhand borders Odisha to the north, West Bengal to the northeast, Andhra Pradesh to the south, and Chhattisgarh to the west.
Odisha is a rich state in terms of minerals. 30% of India's iron ore and 90% of chromite are found here.