TNI Bureau: In a major step towards preserving Odisha’s linguistic and cultural heritage, the Odisha Cabinet on Friday approved revised English spellings of 64 places across 26 districts. The move aims to align the English names with their original Odia pronunciation and correct distortions that crept in during the colonial period.

The initiative was taken on the direction of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and was overseen by a high-level committee chaired by eminent writer Pratibha Ray.

According to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, several place names in English did not accurately reflect their Odia pronunciation, affecting linguistic authenticity and cultural identity. Proposals were received from district collectors, public representatives and citizens, and were finalised after public consultation.

The Cabinet approved the following changes:

Angul → Anugola, Pallahara → Palalahada, Talcher → Talacher, Bolangir → Balangir, Bangamunda → Bangomunda, Balasore → Baleshwar, Nilgir → Nilagiri, Soro → Sora, Bargarh → Baragada, Rajborasambar → Rajbodasambar, Bonth → Banta, Boudhgarh → Boudhagada, Cuttack → Katak, Athagarh → Athagada, Salipur → Salepur, Baramba → Badamba, Deogarh → Debagada, Reamal → Riamal, Berhampur → Brahmapur, Hinjilicut → Hinjilikatu, Aska → Asika, Suruda → Sorada, Dasarathpur → Dasharathpur, Dharmasala → Dharmashala, Belpahar → Belpahad, Dharamgarh → Dharmagada, Junagarh → Junagada, Jaipatna → Jayapatna, Lanjigarh → Lanjigada, Bhawanipatna → Bhabanipatana, Khondmal → Kandhamala, Kendrapara → Kendrapada, Aul → Aali, Mahakalapara → Mahakalapada, Keonjhar → Kendujhar, Barbil → Badabil, Keonjhargarh → Kendujhargada, Khurda → Khordha, Balagarh → Bolagada, Banpur → Banapur, Jatni → Jatani, Jeypore → Jayapur, Podia → Padia, Betnoti → Betanati, Samakhunta → Shamakhunta, Moroda → Morada, Rasgovindpur → Rasagobindapur, Panchpir → Panchapidha, Umerkote → Umarkot, Nayagarh → Nayagada, Daspalla → Dashapalla, Khariar → Khadial, Nimapara → Nimapada, Rairakhol → Redhakhol, Sonepur → Sonpur, Binka → Binika, Sundargarh → Sundaragada, Bonaigarh → Banaigada, Koira → Koida, Lephripara → Lephripada, Subdega → Sabdega, Bargaon → Badagan, Lahunipara → Lahunipada and Rourkela → Raurkela.

The state government will now send the proposal to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for gazette notification. After approval, agencies such as the Survey of India, Indian Railways, Department of Posts and the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India will update their official records accordingly.

Officials said the exercise is a significant cultural initiative aimed at protecting Odisha’s linguistic heritage and ensuring that future generations inherit place names that accurately reflect their original Odia identity and pronunciation.