Bhubaneswar, Mar 5: Tributes poured in across Odisha on Wednesday as the state celebrated the birth anniversary of legendary leader and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, a towering personality remembered for his courage, visionary leadership and immense contribution to the making of modern Odisha.
Popularly known as Biju Babu, he was born on March 5, 1916, in Cuttack. A towering political figure, he was also an accomplished pilot and industrialist who played a key role in shaping modern Odisha through initiatives in industry, education and infrastructure.
Biju Patnaik served as the Chief Minister of Odisha twice—first from June 23, 1961, to October 2, 1963, and later from March 5, 1990, to March 15, 1995. Known for his bold leadership and visionary outlook, he remained a guiding force in Indian politics and a symbol of Odia pride.
A strong believer in the potential of the state’s youth, Biju Babu emphasized industrial growth and worked towards establishing several industries to strengthen Odisha’s economy.
He first entered the Odisha Legislative Assembly in 1946, after being elected unopposed from the North Cuttack constituency. He was later re-elected in 1952 and 1957 from Jagannath Prasad and Sorada constituencies respectively.
The legendary leader passed away on April 17, 1997, in New Delhi, marking the end of an era. Even today, he is remembered as one of the architects of modern Odisha and a towering figure in the state’s political history.
