Bhubaneswar: A year-long celebration will be organised to mark the birth centenary of former Odisha Chief Minister Janaki Ballav Patnaik, popularly known as JB.
A series of programmes are being planned by the Janaki Ballav Birth Centenary Committee to highlight his contributions to Odisha and ensure that the younger generation understands his role in shaping the state.
JB Patnaik was the Chief Minister from 1980 to 1989, and from 1995 to 1999. He was also the Union Tourism Minister in 1980, and served as the Governor of Assam from 2009 to 2014.
Convenor of the committee and former PCC president Niranjan Patnaik said the centenary celebration is proposed held from January 3, 2026 to January 3, 2027.
“Though JB was a Congress stalwart, the celebrations would not b
e confined to the party. Political leaders from across parties will be invited to the programmes. Youths and other sections of the society will also be involved in the programmes,” he said.
Veteran leader and former minister Bijoy Mohapatra, former Minister Bhupinder Singh and former bureaucrat Rabinarayan Senapati suggested publishing a compilation of all the literary works of Patnaik and distributing them in schools, colleges and universities across the state.
Former minister Suresh Routray former PCC chief Jayadev Jena, MLA Ganeswar Behera and other leaders proposed naming the Kalinga Stadium after JB Patnaik stating it was established during his tenure. They also proposed installing a full-sized statue of Patnaik on the stadium premises.
It was also suggested that the centenary celebrations be held in New Delhi and a 100-page book on Patnaik’s life and contributions be published for students on the occasion.
Other proposals included establishing ‘Janaki Ballav’ chairs in universities. Youth leader Abhishek Mahananda presented a video roadmap for the centenary events.
The committee has sought land in Bhubaneswar to set up a memorial in JB’s name.