Naveen pays tribute to Biju Babu on death anniversary
Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, Apr 17:
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today paid glowing tributes to legendary leader and architect of modern Odisha Biju Patnaik on his 19th death anniversary at the latter’s Samadhi at Swargadwara here.
Naveen Patnaik along with his party colleagues visited the memorial and paid floral tributes to the departed leader.
“Today on Biju Babu’s Shraddha Dibas, all of us should remember the hard work he did and how he wanted the people of Odisha to work hard for the development of the state,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.
Puri MP Pinaki Mishra, MLA Maheswar Mohanty, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patasani, Kakatpur MLA Surendra Sethi were present on the occasion.
Later in the day, the chief minister inaugurated a photo exhibition organised by I&PR department on the life and times of the two-time chief minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik at Town Hall here.
“Happy to inaugurate an exhibition of rare photos of Biju babu in Puri; revisited fond memories,” Patnaik tweeted.
Besides, he also inaugurated ‘Jiban Bindu’ blood donation programme organised at Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyala premises here.
Ahead of chief minister’s visit, security arrangements were tightened in the pilgrim town. As many as six platoons police force were deployed and metal detectors were installed at various locations to detect any suspicious object.
Prior to chief minister’s visit to Biju memorial, Kendrapada MP Baijayant Panda went to Swargadwara and paid tributes to the legendary leader.
“I had accompanied the cortege of Biju Babu 19 years ago and today also I am here at his memorial to pay my tribute. He was an ideal person and has the maximum contribution to the construction of modern Odisha,” BJD MP Baijayant Panda said.
Notably, several functions were organised across the state to mark the day.
On the other hand, Congress activists opposed chief minister’s visit to Puri and staged a demonstration in front of the Town Hall here. At least eight activists were detained and later released by police.
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