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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has proposed changes in the English spelling of names of several districts, district headquarters towns, sub-divisions, Tahsils and blocks in in the state.

The Revenue and Disaster Management Department has invited suggestions from people’s representatives and citizens regarding proposed changes to the English spellings of several places.

Officials said the move aims to restore the original Odia names of the places and ensure accurate pronunciation in line with their original names. The department today issued a notification in this regard.

Notably, the state government had earlier invited proposals as well as suggestions from the common public and the people’s representatives to carry out the changes.

The state government moved the proposal in this regard after a committee, led by eminent writer Pratibha Ray, examined the suggestions and proposals submitted by the public and various outfits.

The government has invited objections as well as suggestions from the public and other stakeholders within 30 days.

As per an official circular, people can send their objections or suggestions through letter and e-mail (isbdr-rev.od@od.gov.in and revsec.od@.gov.in) to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department.

The state government has proposed changes in the English spelling of 58 places across 23 districts in Odisha. It has planned to change the English spelling of 13 districts or district headquarters towns.

Among the major recommendations for spelling change, Angul is proposed to be spelt as ‘Anugola’, while ‘Balangir’ may replace the current Bolangir. Similarly, Balasore is sought to be changed to ‘Baleshwar’, and Bargarh to ‘Baragada’.

The list also includes renaming Cuttack as ‘Kataka’, Deogarh as ‘Debagada’, and ‘Brahmapur’ replacing Berhampur. Some other proposed revisions include ‘Kandhamal’ for Khondmal, ‘Kendrapada’ for Kendrapara, ‘Kendujhar’ for Keonjhar, and ‘Khordha’ for Khurda. ‘