Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today inaugurated the 7th Odisha State Book Festival-2025, emphasising the ancient roots of the Odia language and calling on citizens to promote its literature through increased reading and book gifting.
The festival, held at the Unit-3 Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar, will run from December 6 to 17. This year’s event features 550 stalls showcasing a wide array of books, along with dedicated pavilions honouring the state’s unsung heroes—referred to as “baraputras” or sons of the soil. The CM toured the stalls, purchased books, and paid tributes at the memorial pavilions.
In his address to litterateurs, writers, and book enthusiasts, Majhi highlighted Odia’s antiquity, citing evidence from ancient inscriptions like the 1st century BCE Hatigumpha cave script, 3rd century Dhauli and Jaugada edicts, and historical palm-leaf manuscripts. “It is our responsibility to develop and enrich this ancient language’s literature,” he said.
Revealing his personal passion, the CM shared that he has collected between 5,000 and 6,000 books in his library and reads them whenever possible. He urged children to learn about forgotten heroes through books and encouraged writers to document their stories to bring them into the public eye.
Praising Jnanpith Award winner Dr Pratibha Ray’s acclaimed novel *Yajnaseni*, Majhi echoed her call to treat books as gifts. “From today, I resolve to gift books to everyone. I appeal to all of you to buy and gift books too,” he said. “Flowers wilt and fade, but books awaken our consciousness day by day. If we all adopt this, the number of readers will grow, inspiring writers and creating new possibilities for Odia literature.”
Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj described books as divine, urging children to reduce mobile usage and embrace reading to let books influence their consciousness.
Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh noted that what started as a simple book fair has evolved into a grand festival under state government patronage, playing a key role in connecting youth with literature.
Dr Pratibha Ray, the guest of honour, called language and fire two of humanity’s greatest wonders, with language being a human invention born from intellect and consciousness. “Our culture is enshrined in books, which are our greatest friends and awaken our inner awareness,” she said. Ray urged everyone to gift and receive books, suggesting the youth celebrate Valentine’s Day as “Book Day.” She thanked the government for organising the event, dubbing it India’s largest book fair in recent years and a grand library of words.
During the ceremony, several books were launched, including *Operation Sindoor* by Colonel Sarat Mahapatra, *De* by Dr Panchanan Nayak, *Murchhit Moksha* by Badri Mahapatra, *Jhara Sraban* by Bimala Singh, *Odia Shishu Sahitya Kichi Paryalochana* by Dash Benhur, and various publications from the Odia Language Institute and Odisha Sahitya Akademi.
The event was welcomed by Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department, Dr Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, with Special Secretary Debaprasad Dash offering the vote of thanks.
