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Odisha Sahitya Akademi organises workshop on Kalinga War

Odisha Sahitya Akademi organises workshop on Kalinga War

Time of India03-06-2025
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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Sahitya Akademi organised a workshop on Kalinga War at Pantha Nivas here on Tuesday, emphasising the importance of preserving and promoting the state's rich historical legacy for future generations.
Culture minister Suryabanshi Suraj attended the workshop as chief guest and emphasised that Odia nationalism transcends regional boundaries and plays a crucial role in shaping youth leadership in the current generation. "Our youth will emerge as strong leaders in the development of both Odisha and India at large. They will create a distinct identity for themselves as heirs of Kalinga. They will carry forward the legacy of Kalinga," said Suraj.
The workshop featured three specialised sessions focusing on different aspects of Kalinga War, such as the pre-war status of Kalinga state, the war period, and post-war developments. Discussions also covered Odisha's maritime history, naval heritage and Buddhist artefacts.
Secretary of the Akademi, Chandra Sekhar Hota, who conducted the proceedings, announced that the workshop's conclusions would be documented for future reference and implementation. The Akademi will oversee the proper reflection and practical application of the findings.
The event brought together prominent literati, storytellers, columnists and historians, highlighting the democratic spirit of open dialogue and debate in preserving and understanding Odisha's cultural heritage.
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Chhar Sin, a 28-year-old self-described youth volunteer, mans the stall, which is located in her home Srey Snam district. We're used to seeing people bustling around, we're not surprised by that, she said, between handing out parcels to eager hands. But even here, 100 kilometers from the border with Thailand, she senses people don't feel safe, as the streets seem emptier than usual. When she woke up Saturday morning, Kim Muny, made the decision not to open her convenience store, but instead cook rice for members of the Cambodian military and fleeing civilians. Cambodians have a kind heart. When we heard that soldiers and displaced people needed help, we decided to help with an open heart, said the 45-year-old after donating parcels of rice wrapped in banana leaves at the stall. We know our soldiers don't have time to cook, so we will do it for them. Alone in a mostly evacuated pagoda, Tho Thoross began a Buddhist chant to express gratitude for all that is good in life. 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