Sir, I represent the Orissa States along with Shri Sarangdhar Das and have, therefore, a special responsibility in this matter. As far as these two States of Seraikella and Kharswan are concerned, they have elected us as their representatives. I think it is but proper that their wishes should be placed before this House as briefly as possible. From time immemorial the people of these two States have had social and cultural contact and relationship with the people of the Orissa province and they have linguistic and racial affinity with them. These two States were and are still under the Utkal University having their headquarters at Cuttack. Oriya is the court language of these two States and in the primary schools there till recently, education was being imparted through Oriya. For administrative political purposes also these two States were included in the Orissa group of States previous to 1948. It is unnecessary for me to relate that the movement for the integration of the Orissa States including Seraikella and Kharswan started in Orissa under the leadership of the leaders from Orissa.
