Bhubaneswar: BJD leaders and workers will observe the 107th birth anniversary of legendary Biju Patnaik in a unique way on March 5 by taking oath to work for party unity, adopt discipline and dedicate to serve the people of Odisha.
In a message, Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik said the party workers will attend programmes across the state and take oath to work with dedication to build a strong, prosperous and new Odisha on the occation of Biju Jayanti.
The birth anniversary of the former chief minister, Biju Patnaik, is observed as ‘Panchayati Raj Diwas’ in Odisha. The ruling BJD, which is named after the leader, will organise several events marking Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary.
As per the programmes outlined by Naveen for this year, ‘prabhat pheri’ will be organised at 6 am and floral tributes will be offered to Biju Patnaik at his statue.
It will be followed by distribution of fruits at hospitals, orphanages, old age homes and other shelters. A numbre of other social service programmes will also be held.
Cycle rallies will be organised at every constituency at 8.30 am by BJD and its student wing. At least 200 workers will take part in each 5-km cycle rally.
Emphasising that Biju Babu symbolised selfless service, the BJD chief said that elected representatives, party workers and leaders will attend public meetings to be held from 4 pm onwards in all constituencies.
The participants will take oath at these meetings to dedicate themselves to the service of people while strengthening party unity as disciplined workers. Contamporaries of Biju Babu, his associates and followers will be fellicitated at these meetings.
This apart, debate, essay, drawing and painting competitions will be organised in every constituency on ‘Naveen Odisha’ (new Odisha) that is strong, empowered and prosperious from March 5 to March 25. Youth and student wings of BJD will organise it, while the winners will be awarded at a function on April 17.
The legendary leader’s birth anniversary on March 5th is observed as ‘Panchayati Raj Diwas’ as Patnaik was a supporter of decentralizing power to the grass root level.
Biju Patnaik was born to Laxminarayan and Ashalata Patnaik on March 5, 1916, at Cuttack city in Odisha. He passed his degree in Aeronautics from the Aeronautical Training Institute of India and began his career as a pilot with the Indian National Airways.
During the freedom struggle, Patnaik was imprisoned in 1945 for taking part in the Quit India Movement. He also played a prominent role in the Nepalese democratic movement and Indonesia’s struggle for freedom from Dutch rule.
He was conferred with Indonesia’s highest civil award “Bhumi Putra” for his exemplary contribution to that nation’s freedom struggle.
Biju Patnaik was chief minister of Odisha twice, from 1961 – 1963 and 1990 – 1995.
His younger son joined politics after demise of Biju Patnaik in April 1997.
