The people of Odisha on Monday remembered legendary leader and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, who is popularly known as Biju Babu among his admirers, on his 26th death anniversary.
People from all sections of life and political leaders cutting across party lines paid their glowing tribute to the departed leader.
While several programmes were held to observe the day across, Mo Odisha Parivar is organising blood donation camps under Jeevan Bindu programme in all the Assembly constituencies. BJD leaders also organised a ‘Tilatarpan’ ritual at Bindusagar tank in Bhubaneswar.
Biju Babu was the epitome of service, sacrifice and Odia Swabhiman. All throughout his life, he would give utmost importance to his motto ‘service to mankind’.
The visionary statesman is still being remembered for his flying sortie to Java to rescue Indonesian Prime Minister Sultan Sjahrir and then Vice–President Mohammad Hatta in 1947 when the Dutch launched a full-fledged attack on Indonesia.
He flew the Dakota aircraft to rescue them. The aircraft is now on display at the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar.
The leader left for his heavenly abode on April 17, 1997, in New Delhi. His mortal remains were flown back to Odisha the following day and were consigned to flame at Swargadwar in Puri.
He was born to Lakshminarayan and Ashalata Patnaik at Cuttack on March 5, 1916.