Oriya As Official Language
Nabababu had realised for quite sometime that a people-oriented government has to use Oriya as its language for communication and administration. Therefore, he formulated rules for using Oriya in the administrative process. As an MLA, Nabababu used to speak in Oriya in the Assembly and discuss there in the same language.
When the Odisha Legislative Assembly was constituted in 1946, the question of language to be used in the Assembly was raised. Lalmohan Patnaik, as the speaker, desired that English should be used as before. But Nabababu demanded that Oriya, the people’s language be used instead. And his just demand was not only retained, but sustained.
As mentioned elsewhere, Nabababu’s decision to use Oriya as the language for communication and administration was opposed by senior officers in the administration. Some of them were from outside the State, without the knowledge of Oriya, and others suffered from a colonial hangover. Nabababu did not listen to anyone. Oriya was the language to be used for administration. An Encyclopaedia of Oriya Language was prepared. Oriya typewriters were also fabricated. But all these initiatives taken by him discontinued after he left the Government in October 1956. Prime Minister Nehru persuaded him again not to leave the Chiefministership, but Nabababu was determined in his decision. For him service to the people was more important than power.
Acharya Vinoba Bhave had launched the Bhoodan and Gramdan movement when Nabababu was the Chief Minister. He was deeply involved in this movement. He was moving with Vinoba from village to village spreading the message of Gramdan. Not a pie was spent from the Government funds.
His work was in everybody’s lips. In 1957, he was elected as the President of the Sarva Seva Sangh, whose activities were accelerated by him.
Read more about this topic: Nabakrushna Choudhuri
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