PM Modi pays tribute to ‘visionary leader’ Biju Patnaik on his 108th birth anniversary

Modi’s visit to Odisha coinciding with the occasion comes amid demands by the BJD to posthumously award Bharat Ratna to the third chief minister of the state

Published on: Mar 5, 2024, 11:59:18 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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Amid speculations of a pre-poll alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and calls for Bharat Ratna for former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to the veteran leader on his 108th birth anniversary ahead of his visit to the state.

Former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik. (HT File Photo)

“I pay homage to the legendary Biju Patnaik Ji on his birth anniversary. His visionary leadership and indomitable spirit continue to inspire generations. His contributions to our nation and his unwavering commitment to development are exemplary,” Modi wrote in a post on X.

Modi added that he was looking forward to being among the people of Odisha to inaugurate various projects in Chandikhole. “I will also address a BJP public meeting.”

Odisha chief minister and Patnaik’s younger son Naveen Patnaik took to X and wrote, “Tributes to Biju Patnaik, the creator of modern Odisha, great freedom fighter and former Chief Minister /on his birth anniversary. The blueprint he drew to strengthen development involving people from all sections of the society is still guiding us. Let’s remember the contribution of those development men and glorify the identity of Orthodox nationalism. To further strengthen the resolution of forming New Odisha.”

Senior BJP leader and Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari paid “humble homage to the freedom fighter” on his birth anniversary.

Modi’s visit coinciding with the occasion comes amid demands by the BJD to posthumously award Bharat Ratna to the third chief minister of Odisha. Senior BJD leader Prasanna Acharya said Biju Patnaik’s innumerable exploits as a pilot, from ferrying soldiers of the Sikh regiment to counter the Pakistan-backed invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 to flying out former Indonesian prime minister Sutan Sjahrir and vice-president Mohammad Hatta from Jakarta, are legendary.

“Though he should have been awarded Bharat Ratna long ago, it’s never too late. The service that he has rendered to the country is unmatchable. He will remain not just an inspiration for Odia, but the entire country for his courage and daredevilry,” Acharya said.

Modi is scheduled to arrive in Bhubaneswar at 2.40pm and proceed to Chandikhol in Jajpur district by an Mi-17 helicopter where he will lay foundation stones and inaugurate projects worth ₹19,600 crore. He will also flag off a MEMU train on the Haridashpur-Paradeep railway line, the first ever passenger train to the key coastal district of Kendrapada, considered the political capital of Odisha. Naveen Patnaik will also attend the functions.

Around 4.15pm, PM Modi will address a public meeting at Chandikhol, his second public address in Odisha after Sambalpur on February 3, where he addressed Patnaik as his friend.

Last month, the BJD supported Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s re-election to the Rajya Sabha. Many believe a tie-up between the two parties will help BJP close in on its target of 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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