Biju Patnaik

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Biju Patnaik bigraphy, stories - Indian politician

Biju Patnaik : biography

5 March 1916 – 17 April 1997

Bijayananda Patnaik (5 March 1916 – 17 April 1997), better known as Biju Patnaik () or Biju Babu was an Indian politician and Chief Minister of Odisha for two terms.

Early life

Biju Patnaik was born on 5 March 1916 to Lakshminarayan and Ashalata Patnaik. His parents belong to G.Nuagan, Bhanjanagar, Ganjam district, around 80 km from Bramhapur). He was educated at Ravenshaw College in Odisha but due to his interest in aviation he dropped out and trained as a pilot. Patnaik flew with private airlines but at the start of the second world war he joined the Royal Indian Air Force eventually becoming head of air transport command. While in service he began an interest in nationalist politics and used air force transports to deliver what was seen as subversive literature to Indian troops. But Patnaik remained committed to fighting the axis powers and when he was jailed for his illegal activities he only served two years in prison. Shortly after independence Pakistani tribesman invaded Kashmir and at Nehru’s request he helped airlift the first Indian soldiers into Srinagar.

Role in Indonesian freedom struggle

Biju Patnaik came in contact with Nehru during his participation in Indian freedom struggle. He became one of his trusted friends. Nehru was sympathetic to the freedom struggle of the Indonesian people who had traditional links with Indian sub-continent from the ancient days. Indonesia was under Dutch rule from 1816 to 1941 when it was occupied by the Japanese. The Indonesian freedom fighters declared the independence of Indonesia on 17 August 1945 two days after the Japanese collapse in the Second World War. The Dutch tried to regain control over these territories and started fomenting trouble for the new Government. The new Government under Dr. Sukarno as President, launched a vigorous propaganda activity to gain support for their cause. Dr. Sjahrir who became Prime Minister of Indonesia on 14 November 1945 was a trusted lieutenant of Dr. Sukarno. He also became friendly with Nehru who was at that time the Foreign Minister and the leader of the Interim Government of India. In July 1946, Government of Indonesia concluded an agreement with India Government to supply 40,00,000 tonnes of rice in exchange of textile, agricultural implements, tyres and other goods which India would send to Indonesia for her economic rehabilitation.

On 23 March 1947 Nehru called 22 Asian countries for First Inter-Asia Conference to which Sjahrir was specially invited. He addressed the conference after concluding the agreement with Dutch on 25 March. The Dutch continued to foment trouble on one pretext or the other. Finally they launched a large scale attack on Indonesia on 21 July 1947. Immediately President Sukarno consulted Sjahrir and ordered him to leave the country to create international public opinion against the Dutch and also persuade the friendly countries to raise the issue before the UNO. He tried to come out but could not succeed as the Dutch had absolute control over Indonesian sea and air routes. He was also under surveillance.

Nehru came to his help at this critical juncture. He entrusted this task to Biju Patnaik, who was an expert Pilot and was famous for his passion for adventurous achievements. Biju Patnaik sprang up to instant action. As an avid reader of the history of Kalinga, Biju knew how Kalinga and Indonesia had a long-standing cultural link in the past and the opportunity now at hand to render some service to the people of Indonesia at their crucial hour of need should never be lost sight of. He braved all hazards. He flew to Java and brought Sultan Sjahrir aboard from Java islands on 22 July 1947 using a Dakota and reached India via Singapore on 24 July. Sjahrir was successful in his mission at last. For his act of bravery Patnaik was given honorary citizenship of Indonesia and awarded ‘Bhoomi Putra’, the highest Indonesian award and a rare distinction ever granted to a foreigner.

Politics in independent India

Hosuse Constituency Start End Party Notes
11th Lok Sabha Aska 1996 17 April 1997* Janata Dal *Expired
10th Vidhan Sabha Bhubaneswar 1990 1995 Janata Dal
9th Vidhan Sabha Bhubaneswar 1985 1990 Janata
8th Lok Sabha Kendrapara 1984 25 March 1985* *Resigned
7th Lok Sabha Kendrapara 1980
8th Vidhan Sabha Patkura 1980 1985 Janata (S)
6th Lok Sabha Kendrapara 1977
6th Vidhan Sabha Rajnagar 1974 1977 Utkal Congress
Rajya Sabha Odisha 13 May 1971 6 October 1971 Janata Dal
3rd Vidhan Sabha Choudwar 1961 1967 Congress
2nd Vidhan Sabha Suruda 1957 1961 Congress
1st Vidhan Sabha Jagannath Prasad 1951 1957 Congress