Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today urged people to make panchayats as a model of progress instead of reducing them to centres of politics.
Describing Biju Patnaik as a symbol of progress on his birth centenary at a function here, the Chief Minister said his late father stood for self-less service and worked for the empowerment of the poor.
The year-long centenary celebration commenced with Naveen garlanding the statue of Biju Patnaik at the BJD office premises and unveiling an 18-feet statue of the late leader at Biju Patnaik International Airport of Bhubaneswar.
A sand sculpture created by noted sand artist Sudarsan Patnaik on the occasion of Patnaik's birth centenary was inaugurated by the Chief Minister at the new domestic terminal of the airport.
A mini marathon was also held in the city. It started from Forest Park and culminated at Kalinga Stadium and a large number of people from Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand participated in the event.
Addressing the state-level 'Panchayatiraj Divas' on the occasion, Patnaik dedicated to the people 100 drinking water projects and 100 flood and cyclone shelters.
Biju Patnaik's birth anniversary is observed every year as 'Panchayatiraj Day'.
Asserting that panchayats have been strengthened and they would be further galvanised, Patnaik said panchayats should not be reduced to centres of politics but transformed into models of development.
Speaking at another public meeting organised by BJD at the Atbaramunda grounds in the state capital, he said Biju Babu had tremendous faith in the youth as he believed they could bring about socio-economic development.
Stating that Biju Babu always favoured adequate power to panchayats, Patnaik said he always respected the confidence of the poor people.
The legendary leader also championed the cause of women and worked for giving opportunities to utilise their capacity and talent for the country's development.
In Rourkela, a public meeting was organised in memory of the legendary leader, which was attended among others by former Union minister Dilip Ray.
At the port town of Paradip, which is considered to be a gift to the state by Biju Babu, senior minister and BJD vice-president Damodar Rout led the centenary celebrations.
The programmes included screening of a documentary film and a photo exhibition as a mark of honour to Biju Patnaik.
Several distinguished leaders from different political parties joined the function organised by Biju Memorial Trust.