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On March 5, 1916, Biju Patnaik was born in Cuttack, Odisha, to Laxminarayan and Ashalata Patnaik.
March 5th, the anniversary of the birth of the renowned statesman, is celebrated as “Panchayati Raj Diwas” since Patnaik advocated for the devolution of authority to the local level.
On Tuesday, on the 108th anniversary of his birth, Odisha paid tribute to the renowned independence fighter, daredevil pilot, and former chief minister Biju Patnaik. Leaders from all political parties came together to pay their respects to the man.
Let’s examine the life and lasting legacy of the former Odisha Chief Minister, whose tale is still ingrained in popular consciousness, as we commemorate his anniversary today.
Patnaik held the position of Chief Minister twice from June 23, 1961 to October 2, 1963, and again from March 5, 1990 to March 15, 1995. He was instrumental in elevating Odisha to prominence. By establishing the Paradip port, the Rourkela Steel Plant, the Bhubaneswar airport, the Sainik School, and the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology in Bhubaneswar, he made a significant contribution to the state’s growth.
On the anniversary of his birth, all Odias, with the exception of bureaucrats and political figures, commemorate his valiant deed in Srinagar during Pakistan’s aggression in 1947, his assistance to the Soviet Red Army in World War II, and his transportation of leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan and Aruna Asaf Ali to various locations throughout the freedom struggle.
Known for his exceptional flying abilities, Biju saved the lives of Indonesian leaders in 1947 when they were fighting for independence. For his bravery, the Indonesian government later awarded him Bhoomi Putra, or “son of the soil,” the country’s highest civilian honor.
Numerous dignitaries honored the legend on Twitter-
Odisha Chief Minister and Patnaik’s younger son Naveen Patnaik took to twitter and wrote : “ଆଧୁନିକ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ନିର୍ମାତା, ମହାନ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ସଂଗ୍ରାମୀ ତଥା ପୂର୍ବତନ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ବିଜୁ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକଙ୍କ ଜୟନ୍ତୀରେ ମୋର ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି ଜଣାଉଛି। ସମାଜର ସବୁ ବର୍ଗର ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ନେଇ ବିକାଶକୁ ବଳିଷ୍ଠ କରିବା ଲାଗି ସେ ଆଙ୍କିଥିବା ନକ୍ସା ଏବେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଆମକୁ ବାଟ ଦେଖାଉଛି। ଆସନ୍ତୁ ସେହି ବିକାଶ ପୁରୁଷଙ୍କ ଅବଦାନକୁ ମନେ ପକାଇ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଜାତୀୟତାର ପରିଚୟକୁ ଆହୁରି ଗୌରବାନ୍ଵିତ କରିବା। ନୂଆ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଗଠନର ସଂକଳ୍ପକୁ ଆହୁରି ଦୃଢ଼ କରିବା।“
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes to former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik on his birth anniversary.
Shri Modi said that legendary Biju Patnaik Ji’s visionary leadership and indomitable spirit continue to inspire generations.
In a X post, the Prime Minister said;
“I pay homage to the legendary Biju Patnaik Ji on his birth anniversary. His visionary leadership and indomitable spirit continue to inspire generations. His contributions to our nation and his unwavering commitment to development are exemplary. Today, on this special day, I look forward to being among the people of Odisha to inaugurate various projects in Chandikhole. I will also address a @BJP4Odisha public meeting.”
I pay homage to the legendary Biju Patnaik Ji on his birth anniversary. His visionary leadership and indomitable spirit continue to inspire generations. His contributions to our nation and his unwavering commitment to development are exemplary.
Today, on this special day, I look…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 5, 2024
Taking to tweeter, senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari wrote, “Humble homage to the freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik ji on his birth anniversary.”
Eminent sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik wrote, “କଳିଙ୍ଗର ବୀରପୁତ୍ର ବିଜୁବାବୁ ଙ୍କୁ ଶତଶତ ନମନ । The tall man has been the most loved public figure from Odisha. My sand sculpture on the birth anniversary of #Bijubabu at Puri beach in Odisha.”
