Bhubaneswar: Biju Babu continues to be a great source of inspiration for all of us and always encouraged the people to use their potential to stand strong for the weak and disadvantaged in the face of strong adversity, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Monday.
“We will always make endeavour to fulfill his dreams, his ambitions to recreate the glory of Kalinga, Mr.Patnaik said while complementing the Delhi Flying Club for celebrating ‘Legendary Indian Pilots Day.’
The Chief Minister said long years back during the British regime in India, a young man in Cuttack, in the East Coast of India, had a dream to fly high, high up in the air braving the storms.
“He loved the steel birds, impassioned to fly them across continents. And then, there was a Flying Club in Delhi that was ever ready to make such dreams realized,” the he said and added, “Biju Babu’s tryst with Delhi Flying club created an epoch in the aviation history of India.”
Among many of Biju Babu’s dare devil actions in the air, his role in Indonesian freedom movement is the most celebrated, Patnaik said adding, his heroic act at Srinagar during Pak aggression in 1947, his help to Soviet Red Army during the Second World War and his support to leaders like Jayprakash Narayan and Aruna Asaf Ali by ferrying them to different places during freedom struggle are a few instances of his undaunted spirit.
Mr.Patnaik said Biju Babu is probably the only person who participated in freedom movement of three countries—India, Indonesia and Russia.
The strongest aspect of Biju Babu’s personality is his courage. Whether it’s politics or aviation, his unwavering courage has always been the focus of discussion, he said.
“Biju Babu has always been and will always be a source of inspiration for us,” he said. He inspired us to come forward to help the poor and vulnerable, no matter what the situation. “Efforts will continue to make his dream come true and restore Kalinga’s glory,” he said.
“Today I am delighted that Delhi Flying Club is celebrating the 105th birth centenary of Biju Babu by dedicating March 5 every year to honour and recognize legendary pilots of India,” Mr.Patnaik said.
The Delhi flying Club is an iconic flying institution of India from where Biju Babu received his flying license, he said.
“The people of Odisha and India owe to the Delhi Flying Club for adventures of Biju Babu in aviation,” he said.
The Chief Minister complemented Dr. B B L Madhukar for revitalising the memories of Biju Babu as an aviator and wished the Delhi flying Club all the best in its endeavour for serving the nation.
Rajya Sabha Member Dr Sasmit Patra also attended the function to pay homage to Biju Babu.
