Odishatv Bureau

Bhubaneswar: As part of the birth centenary celebrations of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, Governor SC Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday released special commemorative coins of Rs 5 and Rs 100 denomination with the freedom fighter’s image at a function organised by Information and Public Relation (I&PR) department at Jayadev Bhavan here.

The Governor and Chief Minister also released a new edition of Odia Gyana Mandal of Binod Kanungo and inaugurated a photo-exhibition on Biju Patnaik at the function.

The coins have the image of Biju Patnaik, his name and 1916-1997 - his year of birth and death - written on it. According to sources, while the Rs 100 denomination coin is meant only for showcasing, the Rs 5 coin will be used for general circulation.

Earlier, the state government had formed a committee, with members from different fraternities, artist Tarakanta Parida, artist and historian Dinanath Pathy and sand artist Sudarsan Patnaik, to finalise the design of the coins.

With the release of the coins, the former chief minister became the first Odia on whom the Centre has issued commemorative coins.

Among others Tourism and Culture minister Ashok Panda, Health minister Atanu Sabya Sachi Nayak, MP Prassana Patasani, MLA Priyadarshi Mishra, Bijay Mohany and secretary of I & PR department were also present during the programme.

Notably in 2015, the Centre had accepted the state government's proposal to release commemorative coins on Nabakalebara festival of Lord Jagannath, which is yet to be issued due to controversy regarding the design.

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