Chivalry in real life and real-life situations has always been rare. When you decide to renounce a business empire and plunge into nation building, you not only get into the cesspool of public life but also the uncertainties of quicksand stance and insecurity of party, its beliefs and its cadres.
A man of uncommon moral strength, Biju Patnaik left behind personal fortunes and high stakes without batting an eyelid. His conviction led his decisions. It takes immense courage for one of the most successful industrialists of India with many innovations to his credit (first refrigerator, first bicycle) to fold up. But he was never normal. Biju Babu was never one in the crowd, he was for the crowd but above the crowd.
Students should know what it means to follow one’s passion – what it entails and how it should be cherished. He loved life because his life was for the people and for the nation. Biju Babu derived immense satisfaction in dedicating his life and fortune to the nation. He donated a major chunk of his self-earned wealth, assets in industries, mines and mineral holdings. That’s the greatness of the maverick. From a super high net worth individual (HNWI) of India, he turned to be a super hero of India – always the megastar.
He worked hard from an early age, took up a rare profession (pilot, which was unheard of then), set up ventures, which were supposed to be the preserve of a few well-heeled Indians in the charmed circles of political power in Delhi or Bombay. Running a private airline is no easy enterprise in current times and even for international joint ventures, forget about a young entrepreneur from the then ‘outlying’ land of Orissa. But he dared to dream more than half a century ago, establishing his corporate with the pride and elan of Kalinga brand. Of course, he was the ‘buccaneer of India’. He has played head on with the adversities in his life. The most popular icon of Odisha had also faced electoral defeats. Nothing has ever dimmed his joy of living. Nothing has made him hate humanity or grudge despite several scathing betrayals by his proteges. His acolytes took advantage of him but he never ever regretted his time with the same people, who could never match up to his stature – his benevolence, high mindedness, altruism and generosity with love.
Even when he was in a thriving career as a pilot for the British company, he had the temerity to retort back to a Britisher, who was his passenger and punish him for a disparaging remark about the country and its shackles under foreign rule. Whether in an upwardly mobile career or as a business magnet, Biju Babu never ever could forget his country, state and the people. How many business magnates do you know in India, who have relinquished affluence and folded up to be with people? Mostly, they multitask or run business as proxy or have dummies run on their behalf. Biju Babu renounced. He is an example for start-up entrepreneurs – in risk taking, innovating and scaling.
We read about dreaming big in books written by professional motivational speakers and writers about “big picture dreaming”. Here was what happened in real life, from Odisha, encompassing India and the globe, which is why he had national flags of various countries adorning his body in his last journey to Swargadwar. Even the premiers of countries rarely have this honour (mostly not). This honour came from unimaginable bravery, the dash of a superhero always eager to help, the selflessness of a colossus and the tenacity of an unflinching believer in the goodness of humanity.
Biju Babu was perennially euphoric about youth and their capabilities. That is why he was forever young, positive and romantic about life. I have learnt in life that only a true titan can be magnanimous – crony capitalists would remain cronies and small. It is so difficult being Biju Patnaik.
The youngsters of today should realise that here was a man who was big, dreamt big, did big and wanted his fellow country men to be big. Those who attain success often fall short of being magnanimous with their wishes for a progressive eco system for the fear of being overtaken. Biju Babu was a rare personality, untouched by insecurity and ‘meanness’. It is so difficult being Biju Patnaik.
Instead of going with the flow and the perks of the ruling party and the almost ‘invincibility’ of Congress under Mrs Gandhi, Biju Babu chose to be the binding force for a disparate syndicate herd. Everyone from all corners of India flocked to him for his mediation because he knew the art of ‘plain speak, straight speak and guileless speak’. He could never be wily; he was never meant to be wily. That is why he ruled hearts and continues to do so. The whole of the state, bevy of national stalwarts and spontaneous tears flowed in his last journey – not only in the number of mourners but in the realisation of an un-refillable void he left in each house of Odisha. The patriarch was gone. Patriarch of a family puts family first and everything next and Biju Babu did that. It is so difficult being Biju Patnaik.
His life should be taught to all of us, not only students but adults who need to be reminded that they need not be so ‘limited’.
It is difficult being Biju Patnaik because he could blend scientific temper, business acumen, adventure of aviation, political acuity, sportsmanship, globetrotting, international relations, strategic defence thinking, thought leadership in nation building, statesmanship and true-life super heroism, all in one persona.
I don’t think we should demand Bharat Ratna for Biju Patnaik. We shouldn’t campaign for attention because he never clamoured for special decorations or felicitations. Once I tried to request him for an appointment for a series of writings, documentation on his life and I was turned down instantly saying, “ I shun publicity”. Publicity is for weak minded, obtrusive under achievers who need propping up. Can you ever imagine Biju Patnaik, self-promoting or self-aggrandising?
Here was a ‘complete man’ who lived life on his own terms, cried for people, lived for them and danced with them. Here is the éminence grise of India who never needed the crutch of power to get fame. He was his power. In a long span of more than five decades in public life, he was in office for hardly a decade – twice as the CM and once as the Cabinet Minister, Government of India. Larger than life, Biju Patnaik strode the social life of the country like a star. The star, which shone Odisha and its place on the global map.
Let Biju Patnaik stay in each one of us.
It is difficult being Biju Patnaik
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