Among all the countries in the world, India is considered the greatest, and among the regions of India, Utkala (present-day Odisha) is described as the finest on earth.
This eternal truth is mentioned in the Kapila Samhita – when Utkala is adorned with the highest seat of honour on this earth, imagining the greatness of its culture is certainly difficult.
That Utkala is our own Odisha — the land once known as Udra and Kalinga! The glory of this motherland blossoms in every corner of the world. Her heritage, art, literature, traditions, culture, gallantry, heroism, spirituality and compassion towards others have spread far and wide.
We are the very soul and spirit of that ancient Kalinga! But then — how did we, in the words ‘Has anyone ever truly recognized himself ? Become a fallen race’ ?
This society, like a graveyard, has always turned its back on history.
Why have we forgotten the words of our great Kulabruddha Madhusudan, “O Son of Motherland Odisha ! tell me – in this great assembly of society, how could you show your face when our mother, who gave birth to countless brave sons, lies fallen in the dust?”
Antaranga Kalinga’ was born with the intent of remembering the glorious heritage of a noble past. With the sacred dust of our ancestors’ cremation grounds upon our heads, we are sworn to rekindle the pride and honour of ancient Kalinga. Today, Antaranga Kalinga stands as a unique and dedicated torchbearer of Odia identity on social media.
But we are not confined to the virtual world alone. For the pride of our motherland, for the glory of our soil, we have stepped forward with multiple initiatives. We are building the Antaranga Kalinga Foundation Public Charitable Trust, to spread this mission far and wide.
Through this organisation, we call upon you: O Utkala! O Kalinga! O rightful heirs of this great legacy!
Let us awaken. Let us rise. Let us all sing in one voice — “Vande Utkala Janani”!
Encouraging veneration of ancestors through observance of their birth and death anniversaries, alongside fostering public awareness of their contributions;
Erection of statues and memorials in honour of eminent social reformers, historians, litterateurs, and scientists born in the respective regions;
Conducting awareness-oriented symposiums and workshops across various locations to promote cultural consciousness;
Organising competitions for students to deepen understanding and appreciation of the lives and legacies of illustrious personalities;
Dissemination of literature—including primers on the Odia language, literary works, and biographies of eminent Odia figures—within the state and in Odia-speaking communities across the country;
Establishment of libraries at the village and panchayat levels to nurture a culture of learning and remembrance;
Initiatives dedicated to environmental preservation, including afforestation, conservation, and protection of natural resources;
Within the coming two years, installation of statues of distinguished personalities at significant sites:
Publication of a prestigious Book ‘Utkala Surjya’ comprising scholarly reflections by eminent authors from diverse linguistic backgrounds across India on the life and contributions of Kulabruddha Madhusudan Das, a national icon—serving as Odisha’s inaugural offering of literary homage to a revered patriarch;
Establishment of a dedicated publication division to compile and analyse the lives of Odisha’s forebears, enrich existing biographies with new findings, and reprint as well as disseminate classical texts and archival materials;
Institution of mechanisms to ensure the preservation and upkeep of statues and commemorative structures erected at various locations;
Support for academic research into Odisha’s indigenous arts, crafts, cultural heritage, traditional attire, and ritual practices;
Promotion of continuous scholarly pursuit and cultural propagation, recognising and honouring Odias who demonstrate reverence toward their forefathers and uphold the ideals of cultural pride and heritage preservation;
Public dissemination and popularisation of Odisha’s glorious past, maritime legacy, indigenous customs, and artistic traditions, with a view to fostering collective historical consciousness;
Cultivating civic awareness and collective vigilance regarding the territorial and cultural integrity of Odisha;
Provision of fellowships and endowments to individuals engaged in advanced research in Odia history, literature, culture, and legacy, and the constitution of a research council to oversee such efforts;
Implementation of other contextually relevant activities, as may be warranted by the times and the spirit of the initiative.