Biju Jayanti: Biju Patnaik’s ancestral house in Ganjam cries for attention

At a time when the entire state on Sunday celebrated the birthday of legendary leader Biju Patnaik, his ancestral house at Ghumusar Nuagaon village near Bhanjanagar in Ganjam is lying dilapidated and neglected. 

The house, where Biju Patnaik was born, is in a pathetic state at Ghumusar Nuagaon village. While cracks have developed on the walls, trees have stricken their roots through these cracks. While wild plants and shrubs have surrounded the abandoned house, the asbestos roof is broken at places. Doors hanging from hinges complete the picture. 

The house is not only a mute spectator of those days when Biju Patnaik spent his days here, it still has some articles used by him, a cane armchair being one of them. 

Though feeling sad for Biju Patnaik’s birthplace lying in neglect, the villagers didn’t forget to observe his birthday on Sunday.

 
They demanded that the administration erect a statue of Biju Patnaik in the village and turn the house into a museum after carrying out necessary repair works. 

“In the localities, the place is well known as Biju Babu’s ancestral place. People from nearby areas come to this place to have a look at his ancestral house, which is lying in a dilapidated state. We have requested the government to turn the house into a museum,” said Pramod Patnaik, Biju Patnaik’s nephew.