ISSN 0970-8669 Review

Attainments and Achievements of the Legendary Hero Biju Patnaik

Sunil Kumar Sahoo

Bijayananda Patnaik, commonly called as, Biju degree. But while chasing his dream to become Patnaik, was born on March 5, 1916 in an airman, Biju dropped from Ravenshaw College district of Odisha. He was son of Lakshminarayan and joined in the Aeronautic Training Institute of Patnaik and Ashalata Ray. Biju’s father at Delhi, to get trained as an airman. Biju’s Laksminarayan belonged to Bhanjanagar, Ganjam dream came true and as a reason of his ambition but stayed in Cuttack and skills he became one because Laksminarayan of the best skilled pilot of was in judicial service. Biju his era. Biju Patnaik was himself was a great flying with some private nationalist and a salient airlines, while he joined the superordinate of the Odia Royal Indian Air force of movement. Biju had his British India at the start of school time education in the Second World War. Mission Primary School Not only Biju earned the which is currently Christ medal of victory but also became the head of Air Collegiate School in Transport Command in Cuttack. As a child, Biju Royal Indian Air force. was always fascinated by Biju, as an airman, also airplanes & also dreamed used his flying skills in to become a pilot. During favour of India along with our friendly his school time a small aeroplane was landed in neighbourhood country Indonesia. the Cuttack’s Barabati fort and Biju instantly ran away from his school to see his dream object Role of Biju in Indian Freedom Struggle : closely. The Ravenshaw College, named after As among the great nationalists, Biju was Thomas Edward Ravenshaw (1868 as college; always influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. Biju 2006 as university), one of the oldest college and joined the Quit India Movement in 1942 under currently among the best universities of Odisha the guidance of the Mahatma Gandhi. He became was Biju’s alma mater, where Biju did his bachelor a leader of Congress along with Jay Prakash and

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Dr. Ram Manohar. In 1943, due to his actions in fighter declared their freedom on August 17, the Quit India Movement, Biju was sent to prison 1945. But the European country, Dutch again tried for about two years. to acquire Indonesia and started controlling over Shortly after our independence, during the Indonesian sea and air. The Dutch wanted control invasion of Pakistan, Biju, the Chief pilot alone over Indonesia because Indonesia, as a country, helped to airlift the first Indian soldiers to the zone had more than 13,000 islands and enough sources of combat, which was probably the 1st airlift in for agriculture and textiles. history of India and which could only be fulfilled On March 23, 1947, twenty two Asian by such a skilled pilot as Biju. His nationalist countries were welcomed to India for 1st Inter- actions didn’t end here, as Biju became a Asia Conference arranged by Dr. Jawaharlal politician to serve for people of India. Nehru, in which Dr. Sjahrir was among the special guests. But due to total control of Dutch army in Role of Biju in Indonesian Freedom Struggle Indonesian air and water, Dr. Sjahrir was unable The invincible Bijayananda Patnaik was to come India for the conference where he was also among the few persons to get the highest about to ask help for Dutch attempt of regaining honorary award of another country. Biju got the Indonesia. At the request of Dr. Nehru, the highest honorary adventurous Biju, an unmatched pilot, went on a national award, the mission for rescuing “Bintang Jasa Utama” Dr. Sultan Sjahrir from of the Indonesia in Indonesia. The brave- 1996, during hearted, legendary Indonesia’s 50th Biju Patnaik with his Independence Day, own Douglas DC-3, which was the highest flew to the Java, a city Indonesian award, of Indonesia for rarely given to a rescuing Dr. Sjahrir. Biju successfully foreigner and Biju was accomplished his the one and only mission of rescuing person to get such an Dr.Sjahrir. Biju flew award. Before it, Indonesia also granted the his Douglas DC-3 low, so that he couldn’t be “Bhoomi Putra” award means “Son of the Soil” caught by Dutch radar. Biju fought all the hazards to Biju Patnaik. This is due to Biju’s courageous that came in his way to Indonesia courageously. deeds for rescuing Dr. Sultan Sjahrir, who was The legendary Biju rescued Dr. Sjahrir and came the Prime Minister of Indonesia during 1947. back India via Singapore on 24 July 1947, one Indonesia was under Dutch rule from day before the conference. At the cost of his own 1816 to 1941. From 1941, Japan took over life, Biju successfully accomplished the mission, Indonesia again. As Japanese collapsed in the which was evenly important for both India and Second World War, the Indonesian freedom Indonesia. For such remarkable enactment, Biju

December - 2016 101 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review was also called as the “The Lion of Odisha” or and lakhs of people are earning their daily bread “Sher-e-Utkal”. by working in those projects. Role of Biju as a Politician : Life History Of The Legendary Biju Patnaik Not only as an unmatched airman, but 1916, March 5 – Biju was born also as a fantabulous politician, Bijayananda 1927 – Joined Ravenshaw College Patnaik left exceptional history that can never be wiped out from the heart of any Odia. On 23rd 1927 – Saw Mahatma Gandhi for the 1st time June 1961, Biju Patnaik became the Chief during his “Khadi Tour” to Odisha Minister of Odisha at the age of 45. Biju was 1932 – Passed Matriculation with 1st division elected to the Lok Sabha in 1977, from 1942 – Joined the Quit India Movement Kendrapada district of Odisha and became Union Minister of Steel & Mines until 1979. Bijayananda 1943 – Sent to prison for two years Patnaik was also re-elected twice to the Lok 1947, July 22 – Rescued Sjahrir from Java, Sabha in 1980 and 1984. Indonesia As a Minister of Odisha, Biju had 1947, July 23 – Came to India along with approved so many projects, which are still in Dr. Sjahrir favour of Odisha along with India. Projects of Bijayananda Patnaik included the Port of Paradip, 1952 - M.L.A., Jagannath Prasad Odisha Aviation Centre, Airport, 1957 - M.L.A., Sorada the Cuttack-Jagatpur Mahanadi Highway Bridge, 1961 - Chief Minister, Odisha Regional Engineering College, Sainik School, Thermal Power Station, Odisha 1966 - M.P., Rajya Sabha University of Agriculture & Technology, NALCO 1974 - Opposition Leader (National Aluminium Company), Balimela Hydro Project, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at 1977 - Minister, Steel & Mines, Government Sunabeda and many more. Biju also established of India the Kalinga Cup in football, for the development 1980 - M.P., Lok Sabha of sports in Odisha. Biju also established the 1985 - Opposition Leader, State Assembly International Kalinga Prize for popularization of science & technology among the Odias, which is 1990-95 - Chief Minister, Odisha still in action and supporting many scientists and 1997, April 17 – The Legendary Knight Biju researchers for their further experiments. Died Biju’s achievements, as a public Attainments & Achievements of The representative, were also praiseworthy. Biju Legendary Biju Patnaik: Patnaik set up the Kalinga Tubes, the Kalinga Iron works, the Kalinga Airlines, the Kalinga The following were some of the Refractory, the Kalinga daily Odia newspaper and contributions and achievements that Biju Patnaik many more. All his projects are in favour of Odisha did.

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The Port of Paradip, Odisha Reorganisation of districts Odisha Aviation Centre, Daitari- Express Highway Bhubaneswar Airport, Regional Research Laboratory The Cuttack-Jagatpur Mahanadi Highway On 17th April of 1997, Bijayananda Bridge, Patnaik, at the age of 81 died and during his Regional College of Education, illness, the great Biju mentioned that he would like to die as a pilot in an air crash rather than Sainik School, Bhubaneswar, from prolonged sickness. On 5th March every Talcher Thermal Power Station, Talcher, year, the birth day of Biju Patnaik is observed as Panchayati Raj Divas and this day is also declared Odisha University of Agriculture & as a public holiday in the memory of this great Technology, Bhubaneswar personality. In short, all Odias must be motivated NALCO (National Aluminium Company), from his life & always follow his path to make Balimela Hydro Project, Odisha more beautiful than it is now. Except Biju Patnaik, today’s Odisha is impossible to imagine. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Sunabeda Engineering & Medical Colleges at Burla The Orissa State Planning Board Sunil Kumar Sahoo, Kalarahanga, PS: Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar-751024, Khurdha, E-mail: Ferro Silicon Complex at Theruvali [email protected].

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