Bhubaneswar, Feb 4 (Reporter) Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies will be set up at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. A MoU in this regard was signed on Sunday between the Odisha Government and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) With a generous contribution of the State government of a one-time non-recurring corpus money for the endowment amounting to Rs. 10 Crore, the proposed Biju Patnaik Special Centre aims to delve into the leadership, governance, and contributions of the visionary leader of India, the Bhoomiputra of Indonesia and the former Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik. It plans to initiate a Master’s Programme covering various facets of Odia Studies, strengthen cultural bonds with the Odisha Diaspora, and promote contemporary Odia Literature and Art. Commissioner - Cum-Secretary of Higher Education Arabind Agrawal and Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit from JNU, New Delhi signed the MoU in presence of Odisha Higher Education Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Development Commissioner -cum-ACS Anu Garg and Commissioner -cum -Secy OLLC Sujata R. Karthikeyan. The focus areas of this Special Centre include international teaching and research in Odia Language and Literature, exploring historical maritime linkages of Kalinga Empire with South east Asia, diasporic connections, and promoting contemporary Odia culture through publications and collaborative research...////...