By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: With Odisha celebrating Legendary statesman late Biju Patnaik’s 107th birth anniversary on Sunday, a social media post by former Union Minister Dilip Ray, has revealed that, the late former CM was very reluctant to announce some Freebies and Alike Populist Measures in the run-up to the 1995 Elections. At a time Naveen Patnaik led BJD Government busy in announcing Freebies and alike Populist Measures to draw voters’ attention, Biju Babu’s thought and philosophy bears significance in present context.
Dilip Ray wrote ““A Politicians thinks of the next elections while a Statesman thinks of the next generation“. Ray added “ In the run-up to the 1995 elections when I suggested Biju Babu to announce some freebies and alike populist measures, expressing his strong disapproval for it, he told me “Dilip behave like a Statesman and not like a politician” and then he went on to explain me the difference between the two as quoted in the above paragraph,”
His distinction between a politician and a statesman very aptly speaks about the visionary he was. To see Odisha develop, prosper and reclaim its glorious past was a goal that he cherished and he dedicated his entire life to that purpose, the Mayfair Hotel Group Chairman Ray wrote.
‘The Father of Odisha’s Industrial Revolution who laid down the foundation of modern-day Odisha, his legacy lives on and continues to be a source of inspiration to all of us. And today as we all pay our tribute to Biju Babu on his birth anniversary- the man who continues to rule the heart of 4.5 crores Odias and who we all identify with our pride and honour, I must say that “ Politicians will come, many may even win elections for many terms but only a Statesman will remain etched in the memory of the masses, rest all will eventually fade away into oblivion,” Ray wrote.
“These days when winning elections is only what that matters, Biju Babu’s words serve as a guiding light to leaders who truly want to make a difference and in fact why only leaders, everyone who aspires to make a meaningful contribution to the society should start applying this dictum in every decision that they take because the day when we all start thinking in terms of what our decisions today will have an impact on our future generations, the time will not be far behind when our State and Country shall reclaim its glorious past. And this would be a true tribute to Biju Babu!!!,” he said.
“Today Odisha misses its Tallman a lot and for me, I cannot even express what vacuum his absence has created in my life. Every 5 March at 6 A.M I especially miss that smiling face of Biju babu during the cake-cutting ceremony which we used to have at my home and his liking for the cake was something I miss the most today. Once again paying my heartfelt tribute to my mentor, my leader and to someone to whom I owe everything that I am today.Happy Birthday Biju Babu!!!#BijuPatnaik,’ Ray concluded.
