New Delhi, March 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tribute to Biju Patnaik, the former Chief Minister of Odisha, on his birth anniversary. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, “I pay homage to Biju Patnaik and remember his passion for advancing Odisha’s progress.”
Biju Patnaik was born on March 5, 1916, in Bhubaneshwar, Ganjam, into a Kayastha family. His father was Lakshminarayan Patnaik, and his mother was Ashalata Patnaik. He pursued his education at Ravenshaw College in Cuttack. It is said that his interest in flying led him to leave college and train as a pilot. Later, at the onset of World War II, Patnaik joined the Royal Indian Air Force.
Biju Patnaik served as the Chief Minister of Odisha twice. His son, Naveen Patnaik, has held the position for four consecutive terms. Biju is remembered for his courageous acts as a pilot during World War II and the Kashmir War of 1948.
In October 1947, when Pakistani tribal invaders attacked Kashmir, Biju Patnaik flew a Dakota DC-3 aircraft from Delhi. He aimed to transport an Indian Army unit to Srinagar swiftly, as the invaders could have trapped his aircraft there.
On October 27, 1947, he took off for the Srinagar airstrip with a contingent of 17 soldiers from the Sikh Regiment. Initially, he circled around Srinagar before making a sharp dive, flying just feet above the airstrip. After confirming that the airstrip was secure and not under enemy control, he successfully landed the aircraft.