Bhubaneswar: Legendary Leader Biju Patnaik was paid rich tributes as his Five Time Chief Minister Son Naveen Patnaik called upon people to keep alive the ideologies of ‘Service and Self-Esteem’ followed by the Statesman all through his life.
Mr.Patnaik said this while addressing a ceremony marking the celebration of the freedom fighter’s 105th birth anniversary.
Biju Patnaik was Chief Minister of Odisha twice in mid-60s and first half of 90s.
As Biju Patnaik was instrumental in strengthening Three Tier Panchayati Raj system in Odisha, the State Government also observed the day as ‘Panchayati Raj Day’.
As part of Biju Babu’s efforts towards women empowerment, he for the first time in the country One Third seats for women in the Rural Local Bodies during his tenure as the Chief Minister between 1990-95.
Mr.Patnaik, the younger son of the legendary leader, subsequently enhanced the women quota to 50 per cent in the Rural and Urban Local Bodies.
Going further Naveen Patnaik is now advocating for implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in State Legilsative Assemblies and Lok Sabha polls.
Mr.Patnaik said that Biju Patnaik was epitome of ‘Odia Pride’ and he all along dedicated his life to the service of the people while marinating Odia “Swabhiman” (Self-Esteem).
Chief Minister said Odisha has made progress basing its policies on Biju Patnaik’s progressive ideologies.
BJD Youth Organization organized Cycle Rally and started from Anand Bhawan in Cuttack culminated near Bhubaneswar Airport.
Meanwhile, tributes poured in from across India on the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal and Union Ministers took to twitter to pay tribute to Biju Patnaik.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted, “Humble tributes to the visionary leader, great statesman, freedom fighter and the architect of modern #Odisha, #BijuBabu on his birth anniversary.
“He always dreamt of an empowered and prosperous #Odisha and will continue to be a guiding force for all of us.