Bhubaneswar, Feb 5: In a move aimed at preserving the state’s linguistic and cultural heritage, the Odisha government has announced a revision of the English names of seven districts and 24 places across 11 districts. The revised spellings will now better reflect the original Odia names and pronunciation, according to a formal notification issued by the Revenue Department on Thursday.

The changes are part of a broader initiative to standardize place names in official records and ensure consistency with Odia linguistic usage. The government has opened a window for public objections and suggestions, allowing stakeholders to submit their views within a 15-day period before the revisions are finalized.

Notably, the English spellings will align more closely with how the places are pronounced in Odia. For example, Khordha district will be corrected to Khoradha, Kendrapara to Kendrapada, and Nayagarh to Nayagada. Other key changes include Mahakalapara being corrected to Mahakalapada and Podia to Padia.

The notification emphasizes the government’s goal of restoring the original Odia names of these places to reflect the state's rich linguistic, historical, and cultural heritage. "Notice is hereby given for general information of the public that the Government of Odisha proposes to effect changes in the names of certain places within the State of Odisha, with a view to restoring their original Odia names," it states.

The public is invited to submit their objections or suggestions in writing, along with supporting documents, within the stipulated time frame of 15 days from the date of the notice’s publication. The government has made it clear that any objections received after the deadline will not be entertained. If no objections are raised within the prescribed period, the changes will be deemed to have been accepted, and the government will proceed with implementing the revisions.

Some of the key proposed changes include:

· Podia to Padia

· Deogarh to Debagarh

· Reamal to Riamal

· Khondmal and Phulbani to Kandhamal

· Khurda to Khoradha

· Bolagarh to Bolagada

· Banpur to Banapur

· Jatni to Jatani

· Angul to Anugol

· Pallahara to Palalahada

· Athagarh to Athagad

· Salipur to Salepur

· Baramba to Badamba

· Balasore to Baleshwar

· Nilgiri to Nilagiri

· Aul to Ali

· Kendrapara to Kendrapada

· Makalapara to Mahakalapada

· Keonjhar to Kendujhar

· Barbil to Badbil

· Keonihargarh to Kendujhargarh

· Rairakhol to Redhakhol

· Nayagarh to Nayagada

· Daspalla to Dashapalla