Bhubaneswar: Former Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik’s tryst with Delhi Flying Club created an epoch in the aviation history of India.
Speaking about Biju Babu’s passion for flying and how Delhi Flying Club helped him realize it, Chief Minister of Odisha and Biju Babu’s youngest son Naveen Patnaik said, “Long years back during the British regime in India, a young man in Cuttack, had a dream. The dream to fly high, high up in the air braving the storms. He loved the steel birds, impassioned to fly them across continents. And then, there was a Flying Club in Delhi that was ever ready to make such dreams realized.”
Delhi flying Club is an iconic flying institution of India from where Biju Babu received his flying license. People of Odisha and India owe to the Delhi Flying Club for adventures of Biju Babu in aviation, Naveen said on occasion of Legendary Pilots Day-2021.
The Delhi Flying Club dedicates the birthday of Biju Patnaik (March 5) every year as Legendary Indian Pilots Day.
Naveen further mentioned, “Among many of Biju Babu’s dare devil actions in the air, his role in Indonesian freedom movement is the most celebrated. His heroic act at Srinagar during Pak aggression in 1947, his help to Soviet Red Army during the Second World War and his support to leaders like Jayprakash Nathan and Aruna Asaf Ali by ferrying them to different places during freedom struggle are a few instances of his undaunted spirit.”
“He is probably the only person who participated in freedom movement of three countries-India, Indonesia and Russia,” remarked the Odisha Chief Minister.
Delighted at Delhi Flying Club celebrating the 105th birth centenary of Biju Babu by dedicating March 5 every year to honour and recognize legendary pilots of India, Naveen Patnaik thanked DFC president Dr BBL Madhukar and secretary Amit Sharma for revitalizing the memories of Biju Babu as an aviator.
“Biju Babu continues to be a great source of inspiration for all of us. He always encouraged us to use our potential to stand strong for the weak and disadvantaged in the face of strong adversity. We will always make endeavour to fulfill his dreams, his ambitions to recreate the glory of Kalinga,” stated Naveen wishing the Delhi Flying Club all the best in its endeavour for serving the nation.
