2016-03-12 Sat

To celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, Governor SC Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday released special commemorative coins of Rs 5 and Rs 100 denomination with the freedom fighter’s image at an official function. The Governor and Chief Minister also released a new edition of Odia Gyana Mandal of Binod Kanungo and inaugurated a photo-exhibition on Biju Patnaik at the function.

The coins depicts a portrait of of Biju Patnaik, his name and ‘1916-1997’ inscribed on it. The Rs 100 denomination coin is meant only for showcasing, the Rs 5 coin will be used for general circulation.

A special committee with artist Tarakanta Parida, artist and historian Dinanath Pathy and sand artist Sudarsan Patnaik finalised the design of the coins. The former chief minister became the first Odia on whom the Centre has issued commemorative coins. Biju Patnaik played a pioneering role in bringing industry to the state. His contributions include setting up the Paradip Port, Bhubaneswar airport, Regional Engineering College (now National Institute of Technology) at Rourkela.

Other personalities like Hindi writer Bhisham Sahni, freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, Rajput ruler Maharana Pratap and Jana Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyay will also be commemorated in 2016.