On the Utkal Divas, the Biju Smruti Committee reiterated its demand for conferment of Bharat Ratna on Biju Patnaik while holding a candlelight procession with hundreds of men and women throughout Bhadrak town in the evening under the leadership of advocate Ameeta Acharya.
A public meeting was held in front of the district Collectoriate with Acharya presiding over it. Acharya regretted that despite the Smruti Committee’s persistent demand for Bharat Ratna for Biju Patnaik, the Prime Minister is not paying any heed to Odias’ sentiment. She reminded that one lakh postcard letters were sent to the PM for the purpose, but in vain.
Acharya, Smruti Committee general secretary Narendra Prasad Mahakul, Rabinarayan Khilar, Iqbal Khan, Riaz Ahmed, Anima Panda and Rohit Kumar Roy said Bijubabu was a statesman who is highly worthy of being honoured with Bharat Ratna, and the Union Government and President should take keen interest to confer the country’s highest civil award on Biju Patnaik as a mark of respect to the Odisha people.
Among others, advocate Giridhari Nath, Dr Rabibnarayan Mohapatra and Rajendra Prasad Jena were present at the gathering.