Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Rourkela MlA Dilip Ray paid rich tribute to Biju Patnaik on his birth centenary at Rourkela.
Pradhan, who was here on a one- day visit to the city, inaugurated Aviation Fuel Center (AFC) at Rourkela airstrip and termed the same as tribute to Biju Patnaik, terming him as Odisha’s greatest leader in post independence era.
At the time of inauguration of 100th AFC set up by the Indian Oil Corporation limited, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Oram, Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sihna and local MlA Ray were present.
“After independence, two things have created identity of the people of Odisha: the one is the Rourkela Steel Plant and the other is Biju Patnaik,” Pradhan observed. “He has definitely created an identity for the people of the State not only in the country but also at international level,” opined Pradhan. He criticised the BJD for limiting Biju birth centenary celebration to the party only.
Ray, who is known to be very close of Biju Patnaik, in his address, said, the AFC which was constructed immediately after intervention of Union Petroleum Minister Pradhan was ready for inauguration a couple of months back, but it was sought to inaugurate this on the historic day of Biju birth centenary. “It would not be incorrect to say that the Rourkela city was founded by Biju Patnaik and therefore, we wanted to inaugurate the AFC as a tribute to the great leader,” Ray said.
He also claimed that Biju Patnaik does not belong to one party as he belongs to the entire Odisha.
Oram in his speech paid rich tribute to Biju Patnaik. later in 55th Foundation Day celebration programme of Rourkela Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the BJP leaders also lauded the statesmanship of Biju Patnaik.
While celebrating the birth centenary, lead Rourkela and Dutta, two social organisations jointly conducted a signature campaign in eight different places here for demanding Bharat Ratna for Biju.