
The 108th birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, the legendary leader and former Chief Minister of Odisha, was commemorated with heartfelt tributes from the people of Odisha and beyond today. In Odisha, his birthday is observed as ‘Panchayati Raj Diwas’.
Biju Patnaik was born on March 5, 1916, in Cuttack, to an Odia father, Lakshminarayan Patnaik, and a Bengali mother, Ashalata Devi. Although born in Cuttack, his parental home is located in Bellaguntha, Ganjam. From a young age, he displayed a passion for sports and adventure, notably excelling as a key player in the football team of Ravenshaw Collegiate School, which won the inter-school championship for three consecutive years.
In 1932, Biju Patnaik embarked on a remarkable journey, cycling all the way from Cuttack to Peshawar as part of the ‘Visit India Mission’ to promote the message of humanity, covering a distance of approximately 4500 miles. Despite his academic pursuits at Ravenshaw College, he interrupted his studies to join the Royal Air Force of the British Empire as a trainee pilot at the onset of World War II. During the war, he demonstrated remarkable courage by rescuing several British families imprisoned by the Japanese.
Despite being honored by the British for his bravery, Biju Patnaik faced imprisonment for two years in 1943 for aiding freedom fighters by transporting them to clandestine locations in his plane. Undeterred by adversity, he actively contributed to the Allied effort in World War II, assisting the Soviet Army in its fight against Hitler and earning recognition from the Russians for his service.
During India’s struggle for independence, Biju Patnaik’s residence in Delhi served as a sanctuary for numerous freedom fighters, earning it the moniker of “Absconder’s Paradise”. He undertook daring missions under the direction of leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, including the rescue of Sultan Sjahrir, the former Prime Minister of Indonesia, from Dutch captivity. His bravery earned him prestigious awards from both India and Indonesia.
Biju Patnaik’s contributions extended beyond wartime heroics; he played a pivotal role in various nation-building endeavors, including the establishment of key institutions like Kalinga Airlines, the Port of Paradip, and NIT Rourkela. He also championed scientific popularization, donating to create the Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science awarded by UNESCO.
His legacy includes supporting the Tibetan resistance against the People’s Republic of China, and his demise in 1997 marked the end of an era. Despite passing away in Delhi, his final resting place, his contributions are commemorated by three nations, symbolized by the flags of India, Russia, and Indonesia adorning his funeral procession.