Bhubaneswar, Ap 17: The 28th death anniversary of the great visionary, statesman, and leader Biju Patnaik was observed today across the state.
Biju Patnaik, a former chief minister, passed away on April 17, 1997. His legacy lives on through his son Naveen Patnaik, who entered politics after his father's demise.
Various events were conducted across different locations in Odisha today.
Born on March 5, 1916, in Cuttack to Odia father Lakshminarayan Patnaik and Bengali mother Ashalata Devi, with his ancestral home in Bellaguntha, Ganjam.
Known for his love of sports and adventure, he played a pivotal role in his school's football team, securing the inter-school championship for three consecutive years. In 1932, he embarked on a remarkable journey, cycling from Cuttack to Peshawar as part of the 'Visit India Mission,' spreading messages of humanity across roughly 4500 miles.
Dropping out of Ravenshaw College, he was trained as a pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II, rescuing numerous British families from Japanese captivity.
Serving as Odisha's Chief Minister from 1990 until his passing in 1997, he was elected from the North Cuttack constituency.
