Suparjya swain 
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Friday issued a stern warning to business owners and shopkeepers across the state, urging them to prominently display Odia on their signboards or face legal action. The move comes as part of a larger initiative to promote and preserve the Odia language, especially during the ongoing ‘Odia Pakhya’ (Odia Fortnight), observed from April 1 (Utkal Dibasa) to April 14 (Odia New Year).
The campaign was officially launched by the Labour and Employees State Insurance Department, which has started conducting awareness drives in various districts. Rallies and public outreach programs were organized across the state to encourage compliance with the regulation.
Inaugurating a rally in Bhubaneswar, Minister of Labour and Employees State Insurance, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia emphasized the importance of preserving the mother tongue. “Our government is taking special steps to enrich our mother tongue Odia. The Odia fortnight is a celebration of this effort. The mother tongue is essential for the identity and future of our state,” he stated.
According to an official release, the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, makes it mandatory for all commercial establishments to display signboards in clear and legible Odia script. Non-compliance may attract legal proceedings and fines.
“Legal action will be taken against those who violate this rule. Therefore, those who have not yet written their shop signboards in Odia should rectify it immediately,” the department announced in a statement.
The government also stressed that this initiative is not just a legal mandate but part of a broader cultural vision to reinforce Odia identity and linguistic pride. Businesses have been urged to participate actively and responsibly.
The drive has received support from various cultural bodies and Odia language activists who have long advocated for stronger enforcement of Odia in public spaces. With this campaign, the government hopes to instill a renewed sense of respect and pride in Odisha’s linguistic heritage.
