Biju Babu remembered on 19th death anniversary

Bhubaneswar: A series of programmes have been organised across the State to mark 19th death anniversary of legendary leader Biju Patnaik today.

Many leaders and Biju lovers performed 'Tila Tarpna' at Bindu Sagar pond here in the morning paying rich tributes to the former chief minister. On the occasion, a blood donation camp under BJD's 'Jeevan Bindu' programme was arranged at Brajabandhu Kalyan Mandap near Old Bhubaneswar square in the city where many party leaders were present.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, the younger son of Biju Babu, is scheduled to attend a number of programmes in Puri today. He will also visit ‘Swarga Dwara’ and pay floral tributes at the cemetery of the late leader.

Ahead of his visit, police have taken six Congress activists into preventive custody apprehending trouble.

Biju Patnaik, who died on April 17, 1997, was born at Cuttack on March 5, 1926.

The great Odia leader and freedom fighter, known nationally and internationally, was cremated at Swarga Dwara in Puri. Many national level leaders including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, Chandrasekhar, Ram Bilas Paswan and Lalu Prasad Yadav had attended the event.

Biju Babu had played a very significant role in the Indonesian freedom struggle for which he has been conferred ‘Bhumiputra’ award- the highest civilian honour of the country.