Bijayanand Patnaik (1916-1997):
- Why in the news? : Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik on his birth anniversary.
- Introduction : Bijayanand Patnaik, also known as Biju Patnaik he was a visionary politician, skilled aviator and freedom fighter. He was born on 5 March,1916 in Cuttack, Odisha. He is also known as one of the ‘Architect of Modern Odisha’.
- Contributions and Achievements : He played an active role in the Quit India Movement and secretly airlifted Indian leaders. He also helped Indonesian independence movement , for which he was honoured by the Indonesian government with the title ‘Bhumiputra’. He also served twice as Chief Minister of Odisha and initiated important projects for the state’s industrialization, such as the Paradip Port.