Orissa Review * February -March- 2007

Eminent Freedom Fighter - Biju Patnaik

Pabitra Mohan Barik

Bijaya Nanda Patnaik, very well known as Biju football team won the inter-school championship Patnaik, is a great son of mother . He was a for three years when Biju babu was a key player man of sagacity, political wisdom, courage and of the team. Then, he studied his I.Sc. and B.Sc. his contribution towards the freedom struggle is in Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. But, he did not remarkable. He raised voice against British appear the final exam of Bachelor Degree. He imperialism. People called him "Biju Babu" with joined as a trainee pilot in the Royal Air Force of respect. He made significant British Empire. In his college contribution to the social, days, a remarkable cultural and political life of achievement of Biju babu was Orissa and whole country as a journey from Cuttack to well. Biju babu was a mass Peshawar by cycling. leader. He was a born leader. Peshawar is situated in the Due to his heroic personality north-western tip of Bharat. people were attracted The city tells us about the towards him. He was a great legends of Purus and patriot and nationalist. Alexander. That city was also Biju Babu was born on the capital of Kaniska, the March 5, 1916 at Ananda Bouddha emperor. Nivas, Tulasipur, Cuttack. After completion of training, Laxmi Narayan Patnaik and Biju babu joined the Royal Air Ashalata Ray were his father Force as a pilot in 1937. That and mother. Biju babu was the event changed entire life of Biju second son of Laxmi babu. He was inspired by the Narayan's three sons. He was mass movement from the very very brave from his begining. His mother Ashalata childhood. He studied in Ravenshaw Collegiate Devi told him about heroic achivement of freedom school. In his school days, he was famous for his fighters. In 1940 he came in contact with the love for games, sports and adventure. He was a eminent freedom fighters. In 1942 "Quit India good football player. Ravenshaw collegiate school Movement" started by Gandhiji. That was the last

21 Orissa Review * February-March - 2007 weapon of Gandhiji based on truth and non- nationalist leaders freely and safely travelled in violence against British power. The Quit India his plane. Britishers could not arrest the above Resolution was passed on 8th August in the leaders because of trick and plans of Biju babu. working committee of National Congress party. In course of time, Britishers suspected him and After that, to supress the mass movement, the appointed spy to watch his activities. Lastly, British Britishers arrested the fire brand leaders of the spy came to confirm that Biju babu directly and national movement like , indirectly engaged in the mass movement. Then , Sardar Ballav Bhai Patel etc. he was nabbed and imprisoned on 13th January In this critical period, the socialist leaders came 1943. He stayed in Lalkilla for some days and forward to fight for the motherland. Socialist then was transferred to Phirozpur. In the menatime leaders like Jaya Prakash Narayan, Achyut his elder brother requested Parala Maharaja Patwardhan, Narendra Dev, Ram Manohar Lohia Krushna Chandra Gajapati Dev for his release. and took responsibility to continue Maharaja also discussed with Governor General agitation against the Britishers in disguise. One about the release of Biju babu. Governor General day in the time of , did not show any interest to relase Biju babu. After met Biju babu and wanted two years in jail, he was released on parol in 1945. his co-operation and support for freedom struggle. His name is associated with the war of Biju babu had great interest and respect towards independence of Indonesia. His Indonesia air the freedom movement and fighters. After that, voyage and his Srinagar expedition amply display Biju babu helped the national struggle in the various that he was a patriot of first order. Biju babu, by ways. He endeared himself to the revolutionary the direction of Pandit Nehru, saved the life of activities. Prominent freedom fighters were Sariar Khan and Srihatta, the freedom fighters of secretly carried from one place to other place in Indonesia. Biju babu brought them to India in his his plane. He performed his job in the national plane from Indonesia. The colonial Dutch did not freedom struggle by reaching brochures, posters, get any information about it. It proves his bravery. and other publicity materials to different persons Biju babu dropped Indian soldiers from his plane and destinations. The freedom fighters carried on in Kashmir in 1947 when Pakistani forces and their struggle safely by the help of Biju babu. He tribals attacked it. Biju babu was a great hero in did that national duty courageously. Biju babu the war of Indian Independence movement. sheltered the freedom fighters who were on the hide to avoid arrest and imprisonment. Aruna Asaf Ali once had taken shelter at Ananda Bhawan in Cuttack in the house of Biju babu. In that period the British Government declared a reward of 40 thousand rupees to capture Aruna Asaf Ali. Jaya Prakash Narayan travelled in Biju babu's plane in the guise of professor Vatacharya and Pabitra Mohan Bairk is a Lecturer in History, S.H. Professor Banarji. By the trick of Biju babu, the Mahavidyalaya, Madanpur, Khurda, Orissa.

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