In a significant move to promote regional languages and cultural heritage, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi has launched a new academic programme dedicated to Odia Studies. This initiative, introduced for the current academic year 2025-26, is a direct implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's vision.
New Academic Programme Aligns with National Education Policy
The course, titled 'Odia Studies', is an Ability Enhancement (AEC) programme offered at the Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanj Odia Chair within the university's Faculty of Arts. The primary goal is to strengthen education in regional languages, enhance cultural literacy, and provide holistic learning experiences for students. The KSUB Odia Chair itself was established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education and Banaras Hindu University. It operates with an endowment fund provided by the Government of Odisha.
This new programme embodies the core principles of NEP 2020, which emphasises the importance of Indian languages and traditional knowledge systems. It also focuses on providing flexibility in learning, developing practical skills, and encouraging hands-on, experiential education.
Curriculum Focuses on Language, Literature, and Modern Skills
According to an official BHU spokesperson, the undergraduate-level course is designed to build a strong foundation in the Odia language. The curriculum covers essential aspects such as the Odia script, grammar, its classical status, and different regional variations. A key philosophy behind the course is promoting multilingualism and learning based on one's mother tongue.
The programme uniquely foregrounds Odisha's rich oral traditions. Students will engage with folk sayings, songs, tales, and various performance forms, recognising them as vital repositories of indigenous knowledge and community memory.
Boosting Employability with Practical Communication Skills
A major component of the Odia Studies programme is dedicated to language communication and skill development. This goes beyond traditional learning to integrate practical, real-world applications. The course includes training in oratory, debate, group discussions, and interview techniques.
Recognising contemporary modes of expression, the curriculum also covers writing for advertising, feature articles, note-making, and effective social media communication. Further enhancing job-oriented skills, the programme incorporates translation practice and vocabulary development. This focus aligns perfectly with NEP 2020's drive towards building practical and transferable competencies that increase student employability.
Additionally, students will be introduced to the vast landscape of Odia written literature. This ranges from classical religious and poetic texts to modern prose, biographies, and fiction. Through curated readings, learners will be encouraged to develop critical thinking, historical awareness, and sharp interpretive skills. This pedagogical approach is learner-centric and inquiry-based, a core concept championed by the new National Education Policy.
The launch of the Odia Studies programme at one of India's premier universities marks a concrete step towards preserving linguistic diversity and equipping students with both cultural depth and modern, marketable skills.
