Biju Patnaik (1916-1997) was born in an eminent family which played a major role in the movement for social reform, to eradicate caste and gender inequalities. Irrepressibly adventurous, the young Biju was brilliant both in studies as well as extra-curricular activities. His encounter with Mahatma Gandhi in Cuttack in 1927 at the age of 13 kindled his interest in the struggle against the British hegemony in India.

During World War II, Biju Patnaik unstintingly contributed his flying skills to  the war effort. He   evacuated  women  and  children from  Burma  during  the  Japanese  advance  and flew missions into China when it was battling the Japanese take-over. He was also seen in action in the Russian theatre of war. In 1942, he became an active participant of the Quit India movement. He was imprisoned in 1942 and was released only in 1946. Later on, accompanied by his young wife, he pierced through the Dutch blockade of Java and established contact  with  Indonesian resistance leaders and rescued and brought two of them to Delhi. He air-dropped troops into Srinagar and evacuated civilians during the Pakistani attack on Kashmir just after India got independence.

Apart from his activities in the national and international arena, he also contributed tremendously to the development of his home state, Orissa. He established Orissa's first Textile mills, iron ore and Manganese mines as well as three Universities. He was also instrumental in establishing the largest man-made deep water port of Asia at Paradeep which is depicted in the stamp. A great visionary, he created the Kalinga Prize, one of the most distinguished international science awards today. He has held important positions like the Chairman of the State Planning Board, Union Cabinet Minister and Chief Minister of Orissa (1961-63, 1990-95).

The Department of Posts is happy to issue this stamp in honour of one of India's foremost leaders of the post-independence  era.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India