Bhubaneswar, Mar 4: Projecting his father Biju Patnaik as a “colossus”, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday called upon Odia youths to follow the foot steps of the legendary leader and reaffirm their commitment to build a resurgent and developed Odisha.
“He (Biju) was a colossus who loved to do big things and at the same time he was a down to earth leader who loved to spend time with the poorest if the poor and share his feelings,” Patnaik said while inaugurating a conclave on the occasion of Biju Patnaik’s birth centenary on Saturday.
Stating that Biju Patnaik was a phenomenon who was ahead of his time and continues to live in the hearts of the people in Odisha, Patnaik said “His grand vision for Odisha is timeless.”
Nineteen years since the passing of Biju Patnaik, many things have been said, many newspaper columns have been filled and many books have been written on him, the Chief Minister pointed out adding, one thing can be said with certainty that he (Biju) was a phenomenon.
“Biju Babu was a great Odia who wanted to rewrite the history of Odisha by brining back the ancient glory of Kalinga Empire. Again his patriotism was so strong that he was several times at the fore front to save the country from foreign aggression,” Patnaik said.
Biju Patnaik has also successfully contributed to the freedom movement of Indonesia, Patnaik said and added he (Biju) was truly a global Odia who had a global vision for his home state.
However, the CM said “Our true test is transforming Odisha to a level that Biju Babu dreamt of. Guiding and channelising the energy of our youths for nation building is very essential.”
While Odisha is all set to celebrate the birth centenary of Biju Patnaik on March 5, Patnaik wished the youths of Odisha would follow the foot steps of the legendary leader.
