Dikhyaa Mohanty 
An agreement was signed on Sunday by the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, and the Government of Odisha. The purpose of the agreement is to create the Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies at JNU. The purpose of the proposed Biju Patnaik Special Centre is to explore the leadership, governance, and contributions of the visionary leader of India, the Bhoomiputra of Indonesia, and the former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik. The Government of Odisha has generously contributed a one-time non-recurring corpus money of Rs 10 crore for the endowment. It intends to develop cultural ties with the Odisha diaspora, provide a master’s program covering a variety of Odia studies topics, and support modern Odia literature and art.
The Minister of Higher Education, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Development Commissioner-cum-ACS Anu Garg, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary-OLLC Sujata R Karthikeyan all witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit from JNU in New Delhi and Commissioner-cum-Secy Higher Education Department Aravind Agrawal on behalf of the Government of Odisha.
This Special Center’s focus areas include diasporic connections, historical maritime ties between the Kalinga Empire and South East Asia, teaching and research in Odia language and literature internationally, and promoting contemporary Odia culture through publications and cooperative research.
