Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the 79th foundation day celebration of Utkal University here on Saturday.
A total of 49 people will be presented with awards at the function. While seven students will be awarded gold medals for the academic year 2020 and five for 2021. Two students will be awarded trophies on the occasion.
Addressing the faculty and students, Pradhan lauded the role of Utkal University in promoting education has been commendable.
At the 79th Foundation Day celebration of Utkal University. https://t.co/LxPF37F2eV
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 27, 2021
Pradhan laid stress on learning and teaching mother tongue and local dialects to retain the culture of a state. “English is a global trade language and all should learn it, but mother tongue should be given priority,” said Pradhan.
Utkal University should be the mentor university for promoting local dialects, he added.
Pradhan also lauded the contributions of Pandit Godavarish Mishra and Pandit Nilakantha Das. “I have a lot of memorable experiences at Utkal University. The University is a laboratory for building great minds that run the state and nation,” Dharmendra said.
The function was chaired by Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University Sabita Acharya. Writer and Culture Specialist Dr Rajat Kumar Kar were present, among others.
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