Published : The New Indian Express
/21-Nov-2016
Vice-President Dr.M Hamid Ansari described Biju Patnaik as a man of unimpeachable integrity and a nationalist.“A true nationalist and still the interests of Odisha were always close to his heart,” he said while addressing the birth centenary celebrations of Biju Patnaik at New Delhi.Vice president said Biju Patnaik actively joined the Quit India Movement in 1942 and collaborated with the underground leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asif Ali and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, even while in British service. Biju Patnaik was eventually caught and imprisoned by the British Government for three years,” the Vice-President said.Addressing the function, Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik said, “Biju Babu is not only our inspiration but also an idea of continuity. He symbolises for us Odia self-esteem, empowerment and progress.”Justice Shri Ananga Kumar Patnaik said Biju Babu’s first love was Odisha.