Sateertha, a city based socio-cultural organisation today announced its plans to set up a centre for translation and institution of an award for translation activities.
The translation centre would be set up in memory of renowned writer-academic-journalist Ganeswar Mishra on his first death anniversary.
Sateertha was founded by Mishra.
A culture of bilingualism can be created in Odisha through translation, said eminent translator and retired professor of English Bikram Keshari Dash, while delivering the first Ganeswar Mishra memorial lecture.
At a smruti sabha (memorial meeting), marking the occasion, Prof Dash sought to remove some misconceptions about translation and highlighted the role translation plays to promote bilingualism and popularise Odia literature.
"There is no reason why English translation of Odia texts cannot be taught at the plus two level," he pointed out adding, Mishra had a dream to set up a translation academy.
"Translation of literary texts is not just about rendering a book in one language to another, but a work of creativity," he observed.
The memorial function was chaired by Jnanpith award winner and renowned poet Sitakanta Mohapatra.
Coordinator of Sateertha and Mishra's youngest son Sandeep announced plans to set up the centre and institute an award for translators in memory of his illustrious father.
'Prasanga: Ganeswar Mishra', a collection of articles on Mishra's literary works, was released on the occasion.
