JB: The King of Golden Age of Odisha

Today 21 April the death anniversary of him whose name is enough to describe him, for whom politics was religion and journalism or writing, was like his caste. Belonging to a humble background, Mr JB Patnaik aka Janaki Ballbh Patnaik has proved his abilities in politics by becoming a Union minister, three-time Chief Minister and after that Governor of Assam. He also displayed his versatility by excelling in literature, journalism and culture. He became a journalist and joined English daily ‘Eastern Times’ as a sub-editor, became Joint Editor in 1950 and it did not took long time to become Editor of the same. He became the editor of Odia daily ‘Prajatantra’ before publishing the monthly journal ‘Pourusha’ in 1967 which came to be known for its rich quality.  His translation on Bhartuhari’s wellknown Sanskrit work named as ‘Bairagya Shataka’ got Odisha Sahitya Akademi award in 1996.He had also translated the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Shrimad Bhagvat Gita into Odia. He also wrote books on Sindhu Upatyaka and Gautam Buddha. Mr Patnaik Born on January 3, 1927 at Rameswar near Khurda, completed his graduation in Sanskrit from Utkal University in 1947 and got Master’s Degree in Political Science from Benaras Hindu University in 1949. He is the longest ruler of Odisha before Naveen Patnaik. Once 1980 to 189 and again 1995 to 1999 leading the Indian National Congress in Odisha before being trapped in a controversy that ruined politics in Odisha. Among his good works, the New Jagannath Sadak from Sarankul of Nayagarh District to Chandanpur of Puri district is a great contribution of him towords tourism and transportation of Odisha. He died on 21 April 2015 aged 88 at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. On 20 April 2015 Monday, he was there to attend the convocation of Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, as he was chancellor of that institute. On that day he also visited the Lord Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala there in Andhra Pradesh. His ruling era is called the Golden age of Odisha politics leading the overall progress of the state during those days.