Odisha pays homage to Biju Patnaik on his 101st Birth Anniversary

Many great persons have come and left the world contributing towards the cause of their motherland and humanism. However, as a man of courage and conviction, acumen and ambition, adventure and vision, Bijayananda Patnaik, popularly known as Biju Patnaik or Biju Babu won the reverence of millions of people in Odisha and outside. Till his last breathe, he had relentlessly worked to make Odisha an economic viable and prosperous state.

Today, on March 5, the Government of Odisha, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), many social and non-government organisations in the state and outside are celebrating Biju Patnaik’s 101st Birth Anniversary.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today flagged off a mini-marathon to mark legendary statesman Biju Babu’s birth centenary. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to Biju Patnaik on his birth anniversary and acknowledged his contribution with which he served the society.

Born on 5 March 1916 to Lakshminarayan and Ashalata Patnaik at Cuttack, Biju Patnaik was educated at the prestigious Ravenshaw College in Odisha but due to his interest in aviation he dropped out and trained as a pilot. Eventually, he joined the Royal Indian Air Force and earned a great deal of reputation for his adventure during freedom movement. The fearless pilot took up many challenges and played a crucial role during the Quit India Movement. He dedicated his skills in fighting the Axis Powers for which he was sent to the prison by the British authority. Shortly after independence of the country, Pakistani tribesman invaded Kashmir and at Prime Minister Nehru’s request he helped airlift the first Indian soldiers to Srinagar.

Biju Patnaik’s heroic rescue of Sultan Sjahrir during Indonesian freedom struggle was duly recognized across the world. The Indonesian Government honoured him with Bhumi Putra (Son of Soil) title for his act of bravery during their crisis. In 1995, a grateful Indonesian government of General Suharto rewarded Biju Patnaik bestowing Indonesia’s highest honour, Bintang Jasa Utama, in Jakarta.

Biju Patnaik joined active politics in 1946 and hold various posts both at the state and the centre. He was the Chief Minister of Odisha for two terms. His major contributions to the state of Odisha are as follows:

1. Paradip Port
2. The MIG factory at Sunabeda
3. Hydro-Electric Project at Balimela
4. Thermal Power Plant at Talcher
5. The Choudwar and Barbil Industrial Belts
6. Ferro Silicon Complex at Theruvali
7. The Bhubaneswar Airport
8. The Odisha Aviation Centre
9. Reorganisation of districts
10. Regional College of Education at Bhubaneswar
11. The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology
12. Engineering & Medical College at Burla
13. Engineering College at Rourkela
14. Sainik School at Bhubaneswar

The charismatic leader passed away on 17th April 1997. But his contribution lives in the hearts and minds millions of people, particularly the people of Odisha and Indonesia.