Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of Odia University in Puri district.

The ground-breaking ceremony marked the 141st birth anniversary of 'Utkalmani' Gopabandhu Das, a renowned poet, essayist and social activist born in 1877 in Puri. The university aims to promote Odia language across the country. It will offer post-graduate courses in Odia language and literature and facilitate research on different aspects of the language.