Biju Patnaik 2018

March 5, 2018

A commemorative postage stamp on Bijayananda Patnaik, 3^rd Chief Minister of Odisha (1961-63, 1990-95) :

Issued by India

Issued on Mar 5, 2018

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Biju Patnaik.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Sh. Brahm Prakash
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 6.065 lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Bijayananda Patnaik

Born on 5 Mar, 1916 at Cuttack, Orissa, British India [now in Odisha, India]

Died on 17 Apr, 1997 at New Delhi, India

About :

Biju Patnaik was born on March 5^th, 1916, at Anand Bhawan in Tulasipur area of Cuttack. His father Laxminarayan Patnaik and his mother Ashalata Devi brought him up with high moral values.
When he was studying B.Sc. in Ravenshaw College he had great interest in Aeronautics and Industry. His dreams of becoming a pilot became a reality when he joined the Royal Indian Air Force and the Indian National Airways. Later he joined the Indian National Airways and became its ace pilot. In 1940, Patnaik came in contact with Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan and accepted him as his “Political Guru”. Biju Patnaik’s political career began during the Quit India Movement when he collaborated with underground leaders and was imprisoned for thirty months. During the Second World War, when Japan attacked Burma, Biju Patnaik risked his life while saving many British families. He also extended help to the Chinese rebels by flying over the Himalayan region. In 1947, during the Dutch-Indonesia war, Biju Patnaik was assigned the task of helping the first Prime Minister of Indonesia, Sultan Sahariyar, Md. Hatta and other freedom fighters fly across Rangoon from Jakarta to Delhi, which he carried out successfully. The first Indian Plane was landed by him in Kashmir in 1947 when Pakistan attacked India. On returning to Odisha as his place of work he took interest in establishment of industries. He became the President of UPCC for one term. Patnaik became the Chief Minister of Odisha on June 23^rd, 1961. During his dynamic regime as the Chief Minister, Odisha witnessed remarkable transformations in the industry sector. Among many development milestones, Paradip port, Balimela Hydro-electric Project, Talcher Thermal Project, Sunabeda MIG Aircraft Factory, Barbil Sponge Iron Factory, NALCO Aluminium Project are specially important. Odisha State Electricity Board (1961), Odisha Industrial Development Corporation (1962), Odisha Small Industries Corporation (1961-1962) and many other corporations and boards were established by him. Grampanchayat Industrial Units established for industrial development in the rural areas were indeed a novel concept. Biju Patnaik is rightly called the founder of panchayat level industries in Odisha. During his tenure, Regional Engineering College and many Engineering and Polytechnic colleges were established. After resigning from the post of Chief Minister of Odisha he became the organizer of the Kamraj Yojana.
Biju Patnaik was honoured the highest civilian honour of Indonesia “Bhumi Putra” for his heroic contribution for that country. He was instrumental in the institution of the prestigious Kalinga Award in UNESCO which is conferred on eminent scientists every year. Sardar Patel’s ideals motivated him to dedicate himself to the services of the common man. His entry into active politics began in 1946 when he was elected to the Bidhansabha from Cuttack constituency. Due to his efforts in May 1959 a Union Ministry was constituted under the leadership of Dr. H. K. Mahtab. On April 6^th 1970, after separating from Congress Biju Patnaik constituted ‘Utkal Congress’. Later in 1973 January 26^th, Biju Patnaik formed the ‘Pragati Dal’. In 1977, he was elected to the Lok Sabha and joined the cabinet as the Union Minister for Steel and Mines till 1979. He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1980 and 1984 as a Janata Party candidate. In February, 1990 under his leadership Janata Party secured majority and then on March 5^th 1990, his second term as the Chief Minister of Odisha began. Innovative programmes were introduced to eradicate poverty and unemployment in Odisha. He pioneered women emancipation in Odisha.
In 1995 Biju Patnaik became the leader of opposition. Later he contested for Lok Sabha election held in June 1996 from Aska and Cuttack constituencies. He was elected from both the constituencies, but he decided to represent Aska for the 11^th Lok Sabha.
Biju Patnaik worked to take Odisha to the top in every sphere. He was the motivator of work culture. His straightforwardness was his innate quality. His efforts in bringing about reforms in administration and capacity building will forever inspire his admirers.
Biju Patnaik passed away on 17^th April 1997. He is survived by his wife Gyan Patnaik, two sons, Prem and Naveen and one daughter Gita. Biju Patnaik’s contributions to this country can never be forgotten.
Text : Based on the material received from proponent.