Page 11 - NIS English 01-15 March 2022

Personality
Biju Patnaik

THE ARCHITECT OF

MODERN ODISHA

Born: 5 March 1916, Death: 17 April 1997

A politician who has always been interested in adventure, since he was a child. As he grew older, he
became a pilot and participated in the freedom struggles of two countries. He even risked his life in the
Kashmir war against Pakistan. When he first entered politics in independent India, he served as Chief
Minister twice and as a Union Minister once. When he died, three flags from different countries were
wrapped around his body. Bijayanand Patnaik, also known as Biju Patnaik, is widely regarded as
the architect of modern Odisha.

iju Patnaik was born on March 5, 1916 in soldiers landed behind them, and Kashmir was
Ganjam, Odisha, to Laxminarayan Patnaik saved.Another important anecdote related to
Band Ashalata Devi. He attended Mission Biju Patnaik is from Indonesia. This country
Primary School and Mission Christ Collegiate liberated most of its territory from Dutch
Cuttack for his primary education. In 1927, he occupation in the last months of 1946. But by
moved to Ravenshaw School, where Netaji 1947, the Dutch once again attacked Indonesia.
Subhas Chandra Bose had studied. During Nehru sent Biju Patnaik to Indonesia with the
his college days, he was a talented player old Dakota plane. The Dutch army tried to shoot
who, led the university's football, hockey, and down his plane, but Biju somehow managed to
athletics teams. For three years in a row, he come to Delhi with Vice President Mohammad
was a champion in University level sports. Hatta and Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir. For this
Midway through, he dropped out to pursue act of bravery, Biju Babu was given honorary
pilot training at the Delhi Flying Club and the Indonesian citizenship and was awarded the
Aeronautic Training Institute of India. He has 'Bhoomi Putra' award of Indonesia. In 1995,
always wanted to fly planes since, he was a Biju was also awarded the Bintang Jasa Utama,
child. He began flying for private airlines, after Indonesia's highest national award. Indonesia
receiving training. During World War II (WWII), has dedicated a name of one of the rooms in its
however, he joined the Royal Indian Air Force. embassy in Delhi after him. He founded Kalinga
It is said that during WWII, when the Soviet Airlines, which was acquired by Indian Airlines
Union was in trouble, Patnaik was the one who in 1953. Biju became involved in politics in the
bombed the enemy forces by flying the Dakota. 1950s. He first served as the state president of
Biju Patnaik was awarded citizenship and the the Congress, and then as the Chief Minister
Soviet Union's highest award for his bravery. of Odisha in 1961. He was imprisoned during
He is also credited for rescuing thousands of the Emergency in 1977. He was appointed as
Indians who were stranded in Rangoon during the Union Minister of Steel and Mines in Morarji
World War II. Biju joined the freedom struggle Desai's government. He was re-elected Chief
after being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. When Minister of Odisha from the Janata Dal in 1990.
Pakistani tribesmen attacked Kashmir shortly He passed away on April 17, 1997. On April
after independence in 1947, Biju Patnaik arrived 19, 1997, during his last journey, his body was
at Srinagar airport with the first contingent of wrapped in the national flags of three countries
Indian soldiers. Then other planes carrying (India, Indonesia, and Russia).

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