Welcome to the New Era of Medical Education in Odia Language in Odisha!
The Odisha government has taken a significant step towards transforming the landscape of medical education by forming a 22-member committee dedicated to providing medical education in the Odia language. This initiative aligns with the BJP’s promise to offer technical education, including medical courses, in Odia.
The committee, led by Manash Ranjan Sahoo, the vice-chancellor of Odisha University of Health Sciences (OUHS) in Bhubaneswar, comprises teachers from various medical colleges in the state, such as SCB Medical College and Hospital (MCH), and prestigious national institutes like AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Additionally, the committee includes a member from the Odia Bhasha Pratisthan in Bhubaneswar and two administrators from OUHS, apart from the vice-chancellor.
The primary objective of the committee is to evaluate the requirements and resources necessary to translate essential course materials for MBBS education into the Odia language. The committee will also establish timelines and budget estimates for this monumental task. Health Secretary Shalini Pandit emphasized the importance of this initiative, highlighting the committee’s role in submitting a comprehensive proposal within 15 days to the health and family welfare department for further action.
Chairman of the committee, Sahoo, acknowledged the magnitude of the task at hand, affirming that it represents a significant milestone in promoting and advancing the Odia language. This initiative aims to enable students who are more comfortable with Odia, rather than English, to pursue medical education in their native language. Drawing upon the expertise of professionals from various institutions, the committee is poised to drive this linguistic elevation in the realm of medical education.
The BJP’s electoral manifesto underscored the commitment to offering legal, medical, and engineering courses in Odia. Parallel efforts at the national level have also prioritized regional language education, including offering engineering courses in Odia. Textbook preparation for engineering courses is already underway in Odisha, with plans to introduce similar initiatives for medical education in the near future.
The integration of the Odia language in medical education heralds a new era of linguistic inclusivity and accessibility for students across the state. With a diligent focus on translation, curriculum development, and logistical planning, this initiative underscores the state’s unwavering commitment to fostering a vibrant educational ecosystem rooted in linguistic diversity.
