TV
Bhubaneswar: Describing freedom fighter and former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik as the "jewel of the world", ruling BJD MLAs on Tuesday sought Bharat Ratna for the leader.
During a day-long discussion on a motion moved by government Chief Whip Ananta Das on the "Role of legendary Biju Patnaik during freedom struggle and nation building after Independence," the leaders of the ruling party demanded the highest civilian award in the country for Patnaik.
The debate, however, remained inconclusive as opposition Congress and BJP stayed away from the House protesting against the suspension of a Congress MLA for seven days.
The debate on the topic is like to continue today in the Assembly and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, younger son of Biju Patnaik, is likely to take part in the discussion.
Initiating the debate, BJD member and former minister Bed Prakash Agarwal recalled the life and working style of Biju Patnaik.
"Biju Babu was one leader who for the first time in 1961 had thought of river-linking as a measure against drought," he said, adding the former CM was behind the port at Paradip, MiG aircraft manufacturing unit at Sunabeda, and many other projects in the state.
Debasis Nayak, who worked as secretary to Biju Patnaik after he lost election in 1995, said: "It hardly matters for a great leader like Biju Patnaik whether you (NDA government) confer Bharat Ratna on him or not."
"He is the 'Prithvi Ratna'. Biju Babu is much above those awards. He lives in the hearts of millions of people across the globe," Nayak said adding national flags of three countries - India, Indonesia and Russia were wrapped on his body.
Sharing his experience, Nayak said Patnaik used to bear education expenses of at least 600 poor students.
"I have met one such person from Uttar Pradesh who became a Divisional Railway Manager," Nayak said.
Biju Patnaik, however, never tried to know who were the children getting educational assistance from him. "Once, I asked him whether you know the children. Biju Babu said he does not want to know them. But he ensures that the children get the money every month," Nayak revealed.
Nayak said Biju Patnaik had sold off his houses in Mumbai, Kolkata and other places for politics. "However, it is most unfortunate that a vigilance case was registered against him for political purpose. He could have been the Prime Minister."
Patnaik had great influence on Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and therefore, many national level leaders did not like him (Patnaik), said School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra.
Tribal leader Mangala Kisan, who was picked from an agricultural field and made a minister by Biju Patnaik, talked about how the legendary leader never bothered about criticism while taking up developmental works.
Terming Biju Patnaik as the "Sun of the Century", BJD MLA, Prafulla Samal recounted how the former Odisha CM contributed towards popularisation of science by setting up the Kalinga Prize at the international level.
Narrating how his life changed after coming in contact with Biju Patnaik, MSME Minister Jogendra Behera said, "He was the crisis manager, be it in solving political instability at the national level or problems of any common man."
Rural Development Minister Badrinarayan Patra said he quit the job of a college teacher and joined politics after being influenced by Biju Patnaik.
"He (Biju) is the leader who frames policies by talking to men on the streets and understanding their problems," Patra said.
