Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra has urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to grant official heritage status to Utkal Ashram, an institution of immense historical significance associated with the Odia linguistic movement in Berhampur.
Appeal Based on Historical Report
Referring to a story published in the Times of India's Wednesday edition highlighting the historical importance of Utkal Ashram, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP wrote to the chief minister on Thursday. He emphasized the need to declare the building a heritage site and attached the article for reference.
Key Recommendations
Patra urged the restoration and conservation of the building through relevant departments and heritage experts. He called for preserving and digitizing historical records, photographs, and archival material linked to the Odia movement associated with the institution. Additionally, he proposed exploring the establishment of a museum or interpretation center dedicated to Odisha's linguistic movement and its journey to statehood.
He also requested appropriate financial and administrative support for the long-term upkeep and development of the premises. Such a step would not only honor the memory of those who shaped Odisha's identity but also inspire future generations to appreciate the rich historical and cultural legacy of our state, Patra said.
Historical Significance
Established during a defining phase of the Odia movement, Utkal Ashram served as an important center for intellectual discussions, public mobilization, and social awakening. These efforts ultimately contributed to the formation of Odisha as India's first linguistic state on April 1, 1936. The Times of India's Wednesday report described the building as a Symbol of language movement, now a monument of neglect, detailing its historical aspects.
The small building was inaugurated by Viscount Goschen, then Governor of Madras province, on January 22, 1925. Patra's appeal underscores the urgent need to preserve this landmark before it deteriorates further.
