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ISSN 0970-8669 Review

Biju Patnaik : In The Eyes of National Leaders

Dr. Shridhar Charan Sahoo

Biju Patnaik was a towering and multi-dimensional for freedom was closely associated with the personality no less than a colossus in every sense Indonesian freedom struggle unconcerned of all of the term. For a person who neither worked the life-risk it entailed. His expanded love for with him nor saw him from close quarters, it is democracy and freedom also found expression virtually a herculean task to grasp his total in his association with Nepalese democratic personality. The author who belongs to this movement since 1953. category having only a little bit of bookish knowledge can only Every inch an ardent salute this great and proud son patriot and fearless nationalist, of Utkal Janani (Mother Utkal) he served mother and whose contributions were not safeguarded its national only multi-dimensional but even interest both in Kashmir and transcended the periphery of during the Chinese aggression Odisha and India extending to (1962) or when called upon the international domain. A to do so. pilot- cum-dare-devil In the post- nationalist, he was closely independence period, he associated with stalwarts like emerged as a high-profile and Jai Prakash Narayan, Dr. Ram successful industrialist rolling Manohar Lohia and others. He in riches and affluence. extended his all-out support to However, destiny ordained it otherwise. He was them during the (1942) not cut out to be only an industrialist getting carrying in his aircraft those nationalist leaders to engrossed in business and industry in the private their destination. He also distributed handbills of domain of life. His other-regarding self virtually Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and that is why he propelled him to enter into the public domain was Court-martialled and was sentenced to three which in course of time catapulted him to blazing year imprisonment. lights of prominence and popular acclaim. Apart from contributing his mite in India’s The legendary leader and idol of the struggle for freedom he as an international activist masses had also a hectic and uninterrupted

54 April - 2016 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 political career serving his state and country in During his formative years Biju came turns working in different capacities. He was a under the impact of and the distinguished and talented member of Odisha great nationalist sons of Odisha, Gopabandhu Das Legislative Assembly, an outstanding leader of and Madhusudan Das. opposition, a remarkable Chief Minister of Odisha in 1960s and 1990s and an efficient Eventhough a pilot during Biju parliamentarian and effective central minister. His Babu was a nationalist at heart. In fact, he joined contribution to India’s democracy was the role the Quit India Movement of 1942 when “Do or he played tenaciously and repeatedly in Odisha Die” became the revolutionary slogan with and at the national level for forming opposition Gandhiji’s exhortation “we shall free India or die unity through times of factional poilitics. in the attempt”. He worked under ground with leaders like Jaya Prakash Narayan and Aruna Apart from the afore-said prelude many and gave them hidden air lifts from one more things have been written about Biju’s place of India to others in his transport plane. personality and achievements. His fearlessness dare devilry and his dashing spirit in the provincial While referring to this phase of Biju’s life national and international sphere and of course he said: “He joined the freedom struggle and his role and position in Odisha Politics and national actively participated in the Quit India Movement politics have also been dealt with in detail. in close association with and others and their underground activities against the British. But what was Biju Patnaik in national He underwent imprisonment from 1943 to 1946 lense—in the eyes of national leaders with whom in the Red Fort, New , Ferozepur, Lahore he worked and interacted in national politics? and .” How much did they know about Biju and his achievements? What in their view was his stature Due to this association with the Quit India in national politics? The present article entitled movement and his imprisonment Biju Patnaik “Biju Patnaik: In the eyes of national leaders” is came in direct contact with Nehru and became an attempt to provide some answer to those one of his trusted friends. questions. Jawahar Lal Nehru who had now Biju Patnaik passed away an 17th April developed immense faith in Biju’s courage and 1997 at at the age of 81 after a brief adventure as a nationalist pilot wanted to use his illness. The obituary references on the floor of services in Indonesias fight for Independence in the Parliament by national leaders at the time bring 1946-47 for which he had his full sympathy. out vividly the multi-faceted personality of the man Hence, at the instance of Nehru, Biju Babu at the and his stature and achievements. risk of his life flew clandenstine missions in to Indonesia and brought Sjahrir and later P.A. Sangma, the then Speaker of Mohammad Hatta for personal conference with Indian Prime Minister Nehru. Biju Babu’s death P.A. Sangma, the then speaker of the lok defying and dare-devil act of adventure in sabha in his obituary reference extensively rescuing the entrapped top-rung patriots of reflected upon his life and work and his Indonesia was referred by Sangma. In his own contribution to the Indian polity.

April - 2016 55 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review words. “He dared the Dutch and with the support P.A. Sangma referring to those services of Prime Minister threw his lot, rendered by Biju Babu during this period said: at considerable personal risk, with the freedom “The services he rendered to the nation at the call fighters of Indonesia in their struggle for of Panditji in the area of diplomacy at the time of independence”. He was also associated with the Chinese aggression in 1962 are part of our Nepalese democratic movement as well. history”. That Biju Babu was ever prepared to guard India’s national interest was also evident During the Chinese aggression of 1962, during Indo-Pak war when Ayub Khan, President Nehru invited Biju Babu to render advice at the of secured the support of Indonesia time of this national tragedy. Independent India’s against India. It is said that being requested by military history will record his name as the only the then Prime Minister , he civilian whom Nehru consulted on every went to Indonesia with his wife and successfully conceivable matter of warfare and matters prevailed upon , President of Indonesia concerning the external security of India. It may not to help Pakistan against India reminding him be noted that as the civilian adviser to Prime of what he did for his country during the Minister Nehru, he was given a separate chamber Indonesian war of independence. in the external affairs Ministry. He also rightly acknowledged one of the Over and above, Biju Babu was given a great contributions of Biju Patnaik to the country’s diplomatic assignment as a special envoy of Prime democracy. His great contribution to Indian Minister Nehru to impress upon President John. democracy was “the role he played tenaciously F. Kennedy to come to the aid of India. The and repeatedly in Odisha and at the national level precious role that Biju Babu played in securing for forming opposition unity through times of the support of the Kennedy administration was factional politics. Indeed he proved that the delight recognized by B.M. Kaul, the Chief of the General of political life is as well in opposition”. To Biju staff, in the book “Untold Story”. He unhesitatingly opposition has to survive if democracy is to survive recognized his unfailing and successful role as a in this country. diplomat when he said that Biju Babu’s American mission was very much in keeping with the In November 1990 when the National personality of an unfailing leader. Front government was almost tottering for want of a majority in the Lok Sabha, he put all his efforts At the height of the Indo-Chinese war to avoid a split in the ’. when Tezpur, headquarters of the 62nd infantry brigade was abandoned, Biju Babu accompanied In 1989, the Janata Dal was born. Years Home Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Assam ago in 1975, the internal emergency heralded the Chief Minister B.P. Chaliha to discuss the birth of the with four constituents modalities of Indian operation there. Congress (opposition), , Jana Sangh and merging together to It is said that braving the danger, he made offer a broad platform of non-congress political a marauding effort there in the interest of his parties. Motherland. It led B.M. Kaul to rightly remark that Biju Patnaik loved his country more than his On both these occasions, Biju Patnaik personal security. was the person everyone was looking for with

56 April - 2016 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 opposition unity remaining on top of the agenda, same time the natural entrepreneur and founder ‘Lunch Politics’ was in. By now Biju Babu had of Kalinga Airlines and Odisha Textile Mills as he carved a niche for himself as ‘one who hosts was, he wanted agrarian feudalism to be lunches and talks only of opposition politics’. dismantled and industrial revolution to take place. In the sixties, when he was Chief Minister of ‘For Biju Patnaik opposition unity is not Orissa for the first time along with Governor the second thing. It is first’. Ayodhyanath Khosla, he launched a ‘Decade of Destiny’ and ushered in an era of industrialization In a country of sub-continental size and in the state. Later in 1990s again when he was diversity, national unity is of vital and over-riding Chief Minister of Orissa industrialization importance. The breakup of the Soviet Union in continued to be his obsession and in keeping with 1990s was before him and in order to avoid such the dynamic world and national economic a situation in case of India’s federal polity, Biju scenario, wanted the public sector enterprises to Babu was for a new technique of political gain strength through exposure to market forces”. management. He emphasized on equitable regional development and development of Over and above, Sangma stressed upon underdeveloped states. He rightly realized that Biju Babu’s contribution to women disparity in the matter of development may be a empowerment, his advocacy of economy in cause of discontent and tension among different expenditure as a steady style of Governance and states and may weaken our integral nationhood. his focus on modernization of society through dissemination of science. P.A. Sangma was enamored of this statesman like approach of Biju Babu for the cause Biju Patnaik’s second spell as Chief of national unity and integral nationhood through Minister in 1990s will be remembered by posterity federalism. In his own words: ‘Like Dr. Hamilton for different steps he took for the development and Dr. Madisson, the framers of the American and empowerment of women. ‘Before any other constitution, Biju Patnaik believed that national state had come up with a policy on women it is Biju Babu who showed the path towards the unity should be preserved through federalism. For empowerment of women by reserving one third him federalism was an economic doctrine, not a seats for them in Panchayati Raj institutions’. Even political slogan. He even called for a united states the policy of keeping apart one third of staff of India in which the financial resources would strength for women was extended to Government equitably flow to the states consistent with their jobs. In all the classes barring class-I and class- exploitable natural resources”. II, women were to be given their representation. In his obituary evaluation P.A. Sangma This bold and outstanding step towards also expounded the socialist dimension of Biju empowerment of women was referred to by Babu’s personality. ‘He was a socialist at heart Sangma. ‘A true believer in the empowerment of and Acharya Narendra Dev, Jaya Prakash women he practiced it by establishing one third Narayan and Minoo Masani were his role models. reservations for women not merely in local bodies As he said further: “One with Prime Minister but in Govt. jobs.’ Chowdhary he believed that the backbone of the country was a strong peasantry Popularization of science was accorded and wanted modernization of agriculture. At the top priority by Biju Babu who played the role of

April - 2016 57 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review a promoter of science. Like Nehru he had Biju Patnaik who passed away on 17th April 1997 immense faith in and commitment to science. As at New Delhi. a dedicated promoter of science Biju Babu instituted in 1960s the prestigious Kalinga Award He had a very high opinion of Biju Babu for the dissemination and popularization of as amply evident from his words on the floor of science. the Parliament. “He was a patriot to the core, a great son of India a towering personality, the The Kalinga Foundation and prize set up warrior of freedom struggle who strode the by him said Sangma “is an everlasting testimony country like a colossus for over five decades”. of his ideal of modernization of society through dissemination of science. Honourable Prime Minister underlined Biju Babu’s sprit of youth and dynamism which Moreover, strongly believing in a lean and continued undiminished till his death. Biju Patnaik lively bureaucracy, he fearlessly advocated died as he had lived, a man ever young. Jawaharlal economy in expenditure as a steady style of Nehru called him India’s buccaneer’. For his governance rather than as an off-on formula of versatility and dare devilry of his own kind, Biju austerity to be applied during times of financial Dada became a living legend in his young life. strain. Biju Patnaik was loved by the young and Mr. Sangma does not also forget to mention how Biju Babu was nostalgic and ecstatic old alike and was admired by all. He was an about the Odia maritime tradition and how Paradip esteemed leader, a guide, philosopher and a friend was in no small measure due to the bold initiative to countless number of men in public life. of the man. With his heart in Odisha and mind in ‘In his death’ I have suffered a personal New Delhi, he shared his public life between the loss’. The country has lost a great son, the messiah state and centre. of the people. He was a prominent and dynamic He was a member of the sixth, seventh industrialist. He was formerly head of the air and eighth Lok Sabha representing command during the war years 1940-42. He was Parliamentary constituency during 1977-79, closely associated which the building of the 1980-84 and 1984-85. He was the Union fortunes of the country and shared the vicissitudes , Mines and Coal during 1977- with stalwarts like Jai Prakash Narayan, Dr. Ram 80. He had been a member of in Monohar Lohia and others. He underwent 1971. He had also been a member of Odisha imprisonment during 1943-46. Legislative Assembly for seven terms and was the Chief Minister of the State during 1961-63 and Gujral also referred to the services 1990-95. During 1996-97, he was the chairman rendered by Biju Babu in Kashmir. As he said: of the Standing Committee on Finance in “He fully utilized his flying skills. He landed the Parliament. first platoon of the troops in Srinagar which engaged the Pakistani radars in 1948”. Former Prime Minister I.K. Gujural He was an international activist who was Former Prime Minister I.K. Gujural with associated also with the Indonesian freedom a heavy heart paid his respectful homage to Late movement for which he was honoured by the

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Indonesian Government with the title of ‘Bhumi A prison is such a place where the true Putra’ or ‘The Son of the Soil’. Regarding Biju personality of a person comes to the fore and his Babu’s association in the Indonesian freedom real nature comes out. Shri Pilu Modi was also in struggle it has been aptly said: ‘His Indonesian the same prison as Biju Babu. Both were from expedition shows that he was a patriot of a different rich families and were used to high standard of kind, an international patriot. His patriotism was life, but when they were imprisoned, they did not not confined to the borders of a country, it was air any grievances or make any complaints. confined to the border of humanity. Probably this was the result of the qualities he He was also closely associated with the had developed as a pilot during the freedom Nepalese democratic movement since1953. For struggle. flying across to the embattled Soviet troops during He was the store keeper in the prison. the Second World War, a grateful Russia All the provisions received in jail were entrusted conferred honour upon Biju Patanaik for the to the custody of Shri Biju Patnaik so as to ensure services to the country in 1945. fair and suitable distribution. He never gave any Shri one any cause for complaint.

Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then leader At the end Shri Vajpayee said: ‘with the of the opposition in his homage to Late Biju sad demise of Shri Biju Patnaik an important link Patnaik brought out important dimensions of his with the past has been severed. It is no personality. exaggeration when I say that virtually an era has come to an end.’ Reflecting upon the irreparable loss to the nation with the sad demise of Biju Patnaik he said: Shri “……………. If a post falls vacant it is filled but the loss suffered by the nation because of the sad Shri Sarad Pawar also paid his homage demise of Biju Patnaik, will probably never be to Late Biju Patnaik. With the passing away of compensated …………….. he had a towering Shri Biju Patnaik, India, he said ‘has lost a unique personality and was a magnanimous person. He person, a freedom fighter, an efficient liked playing with fire and flying high in the sky, administrator, a skilled aviator, a known yet he was a responsible person. He had a jovial industrialist and a magnanimous person.’ nature and it was his habit to call a spade a spade ….. yet he never allowed anything between to He led a courageous life right from his take root in his mind. school days. When he was in school, he went to attend a public meeting of Mahatma Gandhi being Shri Vajpayee had a deep sense of regret, held in Cuttack. Police stopped him at a certain that he did not have the opportunity of being in point and even beat him up but still then he tried his company when he was in Rohtak Jail during to get as close as he could.’ emergency. ‘Those who were with him in prison relate how he bore all the hardships in prison He could not complete his college stoically and as a good companion helped the other education and joined the Royal Air Force. He inmates to pass the crucial time.’ was very much interested in the profession. Flying

April - 2016 59 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review aircraft and facing the risks involved was a part Biju Babu’s two speeches one at the 18th of his nature. He had taken on this responsibility meeting of the eastern zonal council held on 25th during the regime of Britishers but the spirit of September 1991 at and the other attaining freedom for the country always remained one at the meeting of the National Development alive in his heart. He further said ‘the house might Council on Dec 23,1991 expound his views on be aware that even while serving the royal air federalism and development in India. It breathes force, he made use of the aircraft to carry the out in bolder relief his outlook and vision on the nationalist leaders to their destination. He also management of our federal polity and bring him distributed the handbills of Netaji Subhas Chandra out as a far sighted thinker and statesman. They Bose and that is why he was court martialled and give us not only food for thought but also plan for sentenced to three years imprisonment. At that action so said Chatterjee. time he met Panditji and thereafter he remained a confidant of Panditji uptill his last days. Explaining Biju Babu’s concept of federalism Shri Chatterjee said:” Sir, I know and Concluding his speech he said:’ He used he said that he believed that unless the states the sit very close to us in this house. He spoke become strong, India can never be a strong nation out his mind freely. As a Chairman of the Standing and that is why when he fought for Orissa’s Committee on finance he did a very commendable development, it was not by any reason of narrow job ------. He was ever vigilant to uphold consideration but to make India stronger as a the honour of Members of Parliament. He is no whole. He realized that true federalism will result more. We have lost an able and wise in strengthening India’s unity in diversity and that parliamentarian, freedom fighter, aviator, will hasten the pace of progress of our nation as a industrialist and great son of India.He is not amidst whole. us but he will always be remembered. As regards his contribution to Odisha, Somnath Chatterjee, Ex-Speaker of Lok Shri Chatterjee rightly said: “Indeed, he was the Sabha maker of modern Odisha and the architect of industrialization in Odisha. He was himself a Shri Somnath Chatterjee, a veteran successful industrialist and brought Odisha to the Parliamentarian and ex-Speaker of Lok Sabha map of industrial India. had a very high opinion of Biju Patnaik as a leader. As he said ‘I deeply mourn the passing away of As he continued further “He was a very one of our tallest leaders, tallest in all sense of the successful Minister. I had the privilege of seeing term. Today the Indian political life is poorer as a him as a Minister of Steel and Mines in the Central stalwart and great son of India has passed away Cabinet. He was a very very successful Chief and is no longer with us. As he further said “His Minister and a very effective member of commitment to parliamentary democracy, his Parliament. He inspired the younger generation commitment to the development and progress of of his time. A freedom fighter and nationalist to the country through industrialization, his concern the core, his life was an example of how for the development of the states and his belief in commitment to certain principles and dedication true federalism gave us not only food for thought towards the nation’s development can be the but also plan for action. guiding force of our people.

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Concluding his address he said: “We have Biju Babu was imprisoned on several lost not only a colourful leader, colourful personality occasions but Shri Basu specifically referred to but also a good guide, a good friend ———— his imprisonment in the Red Fort. This probably a void created by his passing away will imprisonment at the Red Fort was because of the not be filled up soon” fact that he was disseminating information in this country of the armed campaign of the Indian SARDAR SURJEET SINGH BARNALA National Army under the leadership of Netaji Sardar Surjeet Singh Barnala, Ex- Subhas Chandra Bose. As it were, he was dropping leaflets and other propaganda materials Minister mentioned briefly the remarkable services to the people of India in order to educate them to the nation rendered by late Biju Patnaik. He about the armed struggle Netaji was conducting served the Royal where he was beyond the borders of our country to achieve court martialled and imprisoned in Red Fort. India’s freedom. During the freedom struggle he brought some freedom fighters from Indonesia by his plane He represented an era of value - based bravely. As a Minister of Steel and Mines during politics and with his passing away it appears that the Janata Dal regime he was an influential member era has ended. of the Cabinet. He was considered a person who did not indulge irrelevant and useless discussions He was an able administrator both as a and used to stress his points in apt and appropriate central minister and also as Chief Minister of manner. The then Prime Minister Moraji Desai Orissa. His was a household name in Orissa. If used to pay great attention to his words. one ever went to any village of Odisha and mentioned his name to any person, young and He wanted to develop Orissa in the field old, they would say with pride that Biju Patnaik of agriculture. He proposed that 400 to 500 was son of Orissa. persons should be brought from Punjab so that new techniques could be taught for agricultural Shri Chandra Sekhar development of Orissa. Shri Chandra Sekhar Ex-Prime Minister There was another side of his relationship paid his tributes to the memory of Biju Patnaik with Punjab. He had been married to a girl from sharing some of his interesting reminiscences with Punjab. He was a cheerful person and the country a personal touch. will remember him for a long time for his He said that the sad demise of Biju contribution and services to the nation. Patnaikji has created a vacuum in Indian politics. Shri Chitta Basu His competence, bravery, spirit of sacrifice, patriotism and his vision of a new India will be a Shri Chitta Basu, an eminent leader of source of inspiration to the people and leaders of Forward Bloc paid tributes to the memory of Shri the country. Biju Patnaik who was a great patriot, a great fighter for independence and had a model of life Giving a personal touch with of course based on suffering and sacrifice. due admiration Shri Chandra Sekhar said: “I was

April - 2016 61 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review closely associated with him during emergency” Shri His capability to encourage people and his sense Shri George Fernandes Ex-Central of attachment to people was worth-emulating. He Minister who had the opportunity of enjoying Biju was senior to me in terms of age but he always Babu’s company for 31 years was a great admirer treated me like his colleague and equal. During of Biju Patnaik. In fact his patriotism and love of the last twenty years whenever we met he called the country deeply impressed him. He along with me “Bolo Ballia” and I used to reply to it by saying many others constantly pestered on Biju Babu to ‘Kaho Odia’. write down his experiences of Freedom Struggle for posterity. As he said on the floor of Parliament : When Biju Babu was admitted to hospital ‘we used to say him one thing time and again, for illness Shri Chadra Sekhar visited him. The that he should write down his experiences which doctor requested him to persuade Biju Babu to he got during the freedom struggle and other stay in the hospital as he was not ready to do so. struggles for it is very necessary to let the people After persuasion of 20 minutes he became ready of this country know about the contribution he to stay in hospital of course on one condition that made in our freedom struggle. This was more he would come tomorrow positively to the necessary in view of the fact that many people hospital. for many years have launched a well-planned move to defame Bijuji. It was of course a different thing Next day his condition severely that Biju Babu never bothered about such things deteriorated and subsequently after two days he as his was a great soul. But his critics never threw breathed his last when Chandra Sekharji last any light on his dynamic life and the contributions visited him. he made for the freedom of this country but also for the independence of some of our neighbouring The unimaginable popularity of Biju Babu countries. and the spontaneous love of the people towards him was evident when his dead body was taken Shri Farnandes said further : ‘I do not to Puri for last rites. Shri Chandra Sekharji said: know if Bijuji had written some thing about his ‘I remember the scene of Puri. Atalji and Dev life or not. But we repeatedly requested his Gowdaji were also with me. It seemed that the daughter to get his conversation tape recorded whole of Orissa had gathered on the seashore to whenever he spoke about the country so that the coming generation of the country may know that pay their last homage to their beloved leader. A such a great patriotic soul had taken birth in this large number of political leaders were also present country. there. I cannot describe Biju Babu’s courage and enthusiasm. Atalji and other leaders mentioned Biju’s house was the centre of the his contribution to the progress of the country. movement of the underground people.Dr Lohia, He actively took part in revolutionary movement Jay Prakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali and several of 1942 ; democratic movement of Nepal and other leaders used to launch their struggle from Indonesian straggle for Independence. He was the house of Bijuji. Whenever they faced problems associated with Lohiaji ,Arunaji, Jay Prakashji and for journey to any part of the country, they sought Narendra Devji. his help and Biju Babu used to carry these people

62 April - 2016 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 to their respective destinations. Moreover Biju a patriot to the core, a great son of India, a Babu used to disseminate information on the towering personality, the warrior of freedom movement of the Indian National Army of Netaji struggle who bestrode the country like a colossus to the country. for over five decades. That apart, Biju Babu’s personality and achievements were not only He was not merely a pilot but also the confined to Odisha and India but extended to the chief of the Transport command of the Royal Air international sphere as could be evident from his Force of southern Asia and in that capacity he role in Indonesian struggle for independence and was drawing his salary. In Burma, not once but democratic movement of Nepal. on several occasions his plane was shot down by the Britishers bullet. On several occasions it was After Biju Babu’s death, there has been declared that Biju Babu has been killed in the war. a demand that Biju Babu should be conferred But as he had to escape, he escaped from the . It is an unfortunate irony that it has jaws of death. He escaped not only from the not been conferred so far by the central authorities bullets of the Britishers but also from the death notwithstanding his personality, stature and sentence he was awarded. He also made achievements as a patriot and nationalist who significant contribution for 1942 Movement. protected our national interest all through his life apart from his role in nation-building and Biju Babu was deeply concerned about contribution to India’s democratic and federal the disparity in development with regard to different structure. states under the Indian federal system.He often raised his voice to the injustice being done to References : certain states in the matter of development and 1. Biju Patnaik, The Great Parliamentarian, Research the resultant countrywide imbalance. Branch, Orissa Legislative Assembly. Conclusion 2. Bhaskar Parichha, Biju Patnaik, A Political Biography, Har – Anand Publications, New Delhi A perusal of the obituary references of 1995. national leaders of eminence like Prime Minister , 3. Dr. Shridhar Charan Sahoo, Biju Patnaik : The Chief Minister of Orissa Ed. K.P. Mohanty, ex- Prime Ministers, Speaker and ex-Speakers Legendary Biju, The Man and Mission, Kaveri and Leader of the Ppposition and many other Books, New Delhi 2002. important national leaders show that our national 4. Dr. Shridhar Charan Sahoo, “Development leaders not only knew tit bits of legendary Biju’s Administration in Orissa: Mainstreaming Biju multi-faceted personality and multi-dimensional Patnaik’s Contribution and Achievement” Orissa achievements but held him in high esteem in the Review, Feb-March 2008. national level. He had such stature and such 5. Dr. Sidhartha Kanungo “ Biju Babu O Swapnara Odisha” Dharitri dated 05.03.2016. national importance that even Prime Minister V.P. 6. Prabhas Samant Ray (The Then MP, Kendrapara) Singh at the dead of the night in 1992 came down “Prameya” dated 05.03.2016. the Orissa Bhawan to meet him and discuss matters of national importance. Prime Minister Shri I.K.Gujral very rightly assessed the stature Dr. Shridhar Charan Sahoo, EB-29, Stage-V, Jharapada, and personality of Biju Babu when he said he was Bhubaneswar-751006.

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