SIDHARTHA MISHRA

Inspirational Thriller Children

4.4  

SIDHARTHA MISHRA

Inspirational Thriller Children

Biju Patnaik

Biju Patnaik

4 mins
217


This year 2022 is being celebrated as 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', as we complete 75 years of our Independence. It is this time that we remember our heroes who have left behind their legacy of courage and valor and made India proud.


This story is about one such hero, former Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Bijayananda Patnaik, affectionately called as Biju Patnaik.


His tales of indomitable courage are even remembered overseas.He is revered both in Indonesia as well as Russia.


He was a pilot and later on went on to serve as the Chief Minister of Odisha for two terms.


During World War II, he bailed the troubled Soviet Army from trouble by bombing the advancing Hitler's forces by flying a fighter jet. The German forces had to retreat. Due to his timely help, he was given honorary citizenship and confered Russia's highest award.


He also played an important part in Indonesia's Independence, which was once a Dutch colony and the later had occupied a large area of their territory, including the whole sea around the country which was in their control. They didnot allow any Indonesian national to go out or come in!


In July 1947,The Dutch forces had house arrested Indonesian PM Sutan Sjahrir.They had asked for India's help. The then Prime Minister, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru assigned this task to his trusted ally, Shri Biju Patnaik.


The later flew over the air space controlled by the Dutch, who threatened to fire at him! He however pressured them not to do so as otherwise India's forces would attack from all sides!


The Dutch were in a fix and they couldnot decide what to do!


Meanwhile Biju Patnaik landed on Indonesian soil, met and brought their PM Sutan Sjahrir and vice-president Mohammed Hatta safely to India, risking his life in the whole process.The Indonesian PM then broadcasted their plight to the rest of the world.


The Indonesian army started invading the Dutch forces a year later in 1946; and launched a full fledged attack on them in 1947.Finally Sutan Sjahrir formed an Independent government in Indonesia.


When the daughter of Indonesian President Sukarno was born, the former invited Biju Patnaik and his wife to name the infant. The later named the girl, Meghawati, who later became the President of lndonesia.


Indonesia granted an honorary citizenship and conferred the title of 'Bhumi putra' on Biju Patnaik.


Biju Patnaik had played a significant role during India's freedom struggle. He had air-dropped leaflets on the Quit India Movement for Indian soldiers fighting against Myanmar as part of the British Indian armed forces. He also helped in ferrying freedom fighters from one location to another during our struggle for Independence. During this time, he had come in contact with Jawaharlal Nehru and had become his friend.


Biju Patnaik flew Indian Army forces to Kashmir in 1947 after the tribal invasion from Pakistan.


Biju Patnaik had fearlessly flown a DC-3 transport aircraft to Srinagar on October 27, 1947, ferrying soldiers of the Sikh regiment.


Biju Patnaik was approached by then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was his friend, for help. He flew at a very low level to look around whether the enemy had already taken over the airport or not. Nehru had given very clear instructions to not land his DC-3 if he detected Pakistani presence there. Biju Patnaik had acted very skilfully and with great bravery and accomplished the work assigned to him.


Biju Patnaik's role in countering the Pakistan-backed invasion of Jammu and Kashmir was crucial as the tribal invaders had blocked off roads and the airport was the only means to ferry troops and supplies. The loss of the Srinagar airport would have resulted in complete loss of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947.


Thus, Biju Patnaik played an important role in saving Kashmir from going into enemy hands. The soldiers he had ferried, fought with the enemy till backup arrived and preventing the advancing enemy from taking full control of Jammu & Kashmir.


When Shri Biju Patnaik left his mortal coil, he was wrapped in the National flags of three countries, India, Russia and Indonesia ; the only Indian till date to receive this honor.


Indonesia had declared state mourning for a week, while Russia observed mourning for a day, as a mark of respect for the departed soul.


His legacy is being continued today by his son, Naveen Patnaik who is serving as the current Chief Minister of Odisha.


Biju Patnaik was a man of honor and his life is an inspiration to not only our countrymen, but the whole world at large.



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