Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 17: Rich tributes were paid to former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik on the occasion of his 18th death anniversary here Friday.
‘‘We remember the great sacrifice and good works of Biju Babu,’’ Chief Minister and Biju’s younger son Naveen Patnaik said.
Attending a function held on the occasion at the BJD’s state headquarters here, Patnaik said his government had been working on the ideologies of Biju Patnaik.
The state government has taken all steps to bridge the gap between the urban and rural areas of the state. ‘‘A new era has been created in the rural areas. To bridge the gap between the rural and urban areas, our government has taken up welfare schemes for the development of pucca roads and houses, providing power and water supply among other things,” Patnaik said
The successful implementation of schemes like Re 1 per kg rice, Mamata Yojana, Madhubabu Pension Yojana and Biju Swastya Bima Yojana has strengthened the commitment of the BJD government, he said.
Considered as one of the architects of modern Orissa, Biju Patnaik had dreamt of an industrial revolution in the state, Industries minister Debi Prasad Mishra said.
Biju Patnaik who died April 17, 1997, was born at Cuttack March 5, 1926.
A series of programmes including blood donation camp (Jivan Bindu) were organised across the state to observe Biju Patnaik’s 18th death anniversary.
Tourism and culture minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patasani, MLAs Bijay Mohanty and Priyadarshi Mishra, Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena and BJD general secretary NK Swain were present.