ISSN 0970-8669
Odisha Review
A Glimpse into the Life of Biju Patnaik
Kanchi Narayan Mohanty
It is indeed incredible but true that very few could
achieve in their life time what this single individual
had achieved.With a rare combination of what is
known as a forceful and towering personality, clear
vision and insight, capability to instantly anticipate,
comprehend and grasp the trend of events to
taking actions with
tremendous ability
and tenacity to push
t h r o u g h
development Biju
Babu had risen to the
pinnacle of success.
Mr Biju
Patnaik, the builder
of
modern
Odisha,could
achieve dynamic
success to uplift the
people of his state and countrymen to a great
height.He brought about a new wave of
development in the state by spearheading projects
such as the Paradeep Port, Engineering College
and Medical College at Burla,Engineering College
at Rourkela, Express High way linking Daitari
with Paradeep, Regional College of Education
at Bhubaneswar,The Kalinga Daily newspaper,
the Odisha University of Agriculture and
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Technology at Bhubaneswar and many more. He
took pride in the rich heritage of his state and
recognized as the Great Kalinga,which was the
historic name of the Odisha in 3rd century BC
under the supreme conqueror King
Kharavela. The word Kalinga was so dear to his
heart
that
his industrial units
were named after
Kalinga. He even
named his station
wagon as 'Kalinga
Rath'. He set up the
Kalinga Foundation
to award the
international scientist
in various fields of
research
and
development under
the guidance of UNESCO since 1951.Out of
reverence the people of Odisha used to address
him as Kalinga Samrat.
The high flying leader our Biju Babu was
more a statesman than a politician. Quite literally it
can be expressed that he was the leader of the
masses for more than five decades. During the
year 1946 he plunged into politics winning a seat
in the state assembly from northern Cuttack Sadar
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Odisha Review
uncontested. He was a statesman who rose above
narrow political concerns in his commitment to
economic prosperity and nation building. He
always had his heart on his sleeve and never
flinched to speak the truth. This was one of the
reasons he faced many sharp reactions.
Biju Patnaik was multifaceted. He was a
dare devil pilot, an industrialist, a sportsman and
a philanthropist. He served as the Chief Minister
of Odisha twice and has also worked as a Union
Minister. He was a freedom fighter and a
revolutionary against the British rule.He was a
soaring idealist and a dreamer who dreamt for a
free and developed nation.He was not a politician
at least in the conventional mould. He had once
admitted that he was literally dragged into politics.
He was ever willing to sacrifice his life for his
country.
In an extraordinary show of courage and
daredevil spirit he had rescued Dr. Sjahrir and
Mohammad Hatta the leaders of the Indonesian
freedom movement from the clutches of the Dutch
imperialist. In recognition to his contribution to
the freedom struggle of Indonesia Biju Patnaik
was crowned with “Bhumiputra” the highest
honour of Indonesia. His kingly audacious quality
may be quoted here. After his Indonesian
adventure when Sukarno wanted to present him
100 acres of land in Palinbang but Biju Patnaik
had straightway declined the offer. He replied “The
king of Kalinga does not accept gifts from his
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ISSN 0970-8669
subjects rather he gives it back to his subjects”.
Aruna Asaf Ali, a great freedom fighter had once
stated that among the thousands who came
forward to take challenge, Biju Patnaik, chief
pilot of the Dalmia Jain Airways was one of the
most fearless and veritable daredevil who
mobilised his fellow pilots and inspired them to
help the Underground Directors consisting of
Jayaprakash Narayan, Acharya Patwardhan,
Ram Manohar Lohia and some others.He helped
us providing shelter and donating fund”.
During the year 1947-48 Pakistan had
attacked Kashmir. The situation was critical.Biju
Patnaik was the only man who immediately flew
the troops to Srinagar. Even at the time of
Chinese aggression he was specially called by
Prime Minister Pandit Nehru for consultations on
our country’s defence and diplomatic issues.
Nehru once said he was a person of
energy and certain ability. Julian Huxley described
him as a remarkable lndian whose adventures will
surely fill a book. With a life full of unparalleled
heroism, ardent patriotism, revolutionary
contribution in the fight for freedom from the
British rule and tremendous efforts for the
upliftment of his home state he will always be
revered as a proud and worthy “Son of the Soil”.
Kanchi Narayan Mohanty, ‘Ashram’, Srivihar, Tulsipur,
Cuttack-8.
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