Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Sept. 28 -- : Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said that Odisha is the first state formed on linguistic basis in the country and the government will protect and promote its mother tongue Odia.

"Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has formed a Committee to go through all aspects of the New Education Policy 2020 and come up with findings after discussing with various stakeholders. Odisha is the first state formed on linguistic basis in the country and we will protect and promote our mother tounge Odia', whether it is in New Education Policy or any other intervention of the Union Government," Patnaik said while holding a legislative party meeting ahead of Assembly Session which is set to commence from Tuesday.

Patnaik said tha...