Biju Patnaik: The Original 56-Inch-Chest Leader Who Walked the Talk
On March 5, Odisha remembers its tallest leader, Biju Patnaik—a man who towered over his contemporaries in both stature and spirit. Yet, as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi invited his predecessor Naveen Patnaik to observe Biju Babu’s 109th birth anniversary, an irony emerged—the day was not declared a holiday. This decision, deliberate or otherwise, raises questions about the shifting political landscape and the selective remembrance of a leader who never sought ceremonial tributes but whose contributions remain unparalleled.
The Maverick Leader Who Redefined Governance
Biju Patnaik was not a conventional politician bound by bureaucratic constraints. He was an adventurer, a patriot, and a visionary who believed in action rather than rhetoric. A man who did not need to flaunt a "56-inch chest," his larger-than-life persona was built on tangible deeds, not hollow bravado.
His contributions spanned across multiple domains—from rescuing Indonesian freedom fighters to revolutionizing Odisha’s industrial landscape. The Paradip Port, Rourkela Steel Plant, Sunabeda HAL factory, and Talcher Thermal Power Plant bear testimony to his forward-thinking governance.
His Panchayati Raj reforms were years ahead of their time, setting a precedent for decentralized governance long before it became a constitutional mandate. By reserving 33% of Panchayati Raj seats for women in the early 1990s, he laid the foundation for gender empowerment in grassroots politics—a move that would later shape national policy.
The Original Ground-Zero Realist
Biju Patnaik did not just speak for the marginalized; he acted for them. When a poor old woman in a remote village expressed her plight about low wages, he doubled the daily wage of unskilled workers from ₹11 to ₹25—an instant decision that cut through bureaucratic red tape. His frustration with slow governance was legendary. His call to people to "thrash government officials" who failed to deliver was not mere hyperbole but a reflection of his deep-seated anger against inefficiency.
His reforms in Odisha’s power sector were pioneering. By dismantling the State Electricity Board and introducing private participation, he made Odisha the first state to reform the energy sector. His push for mini-hydel and wind energy projects showcased his futuristic mindset.
The Uncelebrated Patriot
Few leaders can claim to have their bodies wrapped in the national flags of three nations—India, Indonesia, and Russia. His contributions to the Indonesian freedom struggle earned him the honorary citizenship and the prestigious Bhumi Putra award. During World War II, he flew missions supplying the Soviet army against Hitler’s forces, a feat largely forgotten in India’s historical discourse.
His defiance against British colonial arrogance is the stuff of legend. When a British officer refused to board his aircraft because he was a "bloody native," Biju left him stranded in the scorching Quetta heat. Such was his self-respect and fearless attitude—traits that today’s leaders often manufacture for public consumption but rarely embody in reality.
The Lost Legacy?
Today, Odisha’s ruling BJP government’s decision not to declare March 5 a public holiday raises concerns about how Biju Patnaik’s legacy is being treated. Was this an attempt to downplay his influence? Or was it a strategic move to shift focus from a leader whose ideology does not align with the current political narrative?
Naveen Patnaik, Biju Babu’s son, ruled Odisha for over two decades, building a political brand around his father’s legacy. Yet, even under his governance, critics argue that Biju Patnaik’s true essence—his daring, his outspokenness, and his refusal to conform—was often overshadowed by a more measured and bureaucratic approach to governance.
Beyond Holidays and Symbolism
Perhaps, the real tribute to Biju Patnaik is not in a holiday but in upholding his principles—bold governance, grassroots empowerment, and an unwavering commitment to progress. While today's political leadership engages in optics and controlled narratives, Biju Babu remains a figure who neither sought validation nor indulged in theatrics.
His story is not just Odisha’s but India’s—a tale of courage, innovation, and an unrelenting pursuit of national and regional development. Whether March 5 is a holiday or not, the true tribute to Biju Patnaik lies in action, not in mere words.
Sanjay Pattnayak
Sundargarh
