Biju Janata Dal President Shri Naveen Patnaik’s decision and declaration that youth leader of BJD and MLA Shri Pranab Prakash Das has been appointed as Organising Secretary of the party is indeed momentous. More momentous is the public proclamation of Shri Patnaik, on the occasion of 104th birth anniversary of legendary Biju Patnaik, that Pranab Prakash Das has worked very hard and rendered invaluable service during 2014 and 2019 elections and all by elections for the historic success of the party in securing massive and unprecedented mandate of the people. It is a singular and crowning accomplishment of youthful Pranab Prakash Das who was a Minister in Naveen’s cabinet in 2014 and richly deserves such recognition, honour, responsibility and trust for his total dedication for the cause of the BJD and people of the State. He will look after the overall work of the party.
It is indeed historic that Shri Naveen Patnaik, the most beloved leader of the people of Odisha and worthy son of legendary Biju Patnaik, publicly acknowledged and appreciated the many splendored services and contributions of Pranab Prakash whose illustrious father Shri Ashok Das had the glorious distinction of being showered praise and recognition by none other than Biju Patnaik for his exemplary dedication and services to the party. In this sense Naveen Patnaik as worthy son of Biju Patnaik and Pranab Praksh Das as worthy son of Ashok Das have set shining examples of leadership in taking forward the values and vision integrally associated with the rich record of public services rendered by both Biju Babu and Ashok Das. A visibly moved and emotional Pranab Das said that his revered mother had tears of joy in listening to Naveen Patnaik endorsing her son’s services and she fondly recalled that Biju Babu was kind and generous in doing the same thing to Pranab’s father Shri Ashok Das. Repeat of history in such glorious terms speak volumes for the tryst of Biju Babu with the destiny of Odisha and such replay of history augurs well, under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, well for the State.
Only a day before Shri Pranab Das was entrusted with the responsibility of Secretary of BJD one perceptive media personality who represents a political worldview quite contrary to Shri Pranab Das’s observed that Pranab has truly proved that he has lived up to the legacy of his great father.
Shri Naveen Patnaik’s public endorsement of Pranab Das’s rich record of services to the BJD and people of the State and the lofty words he used to express that in public domain moved Pranab beyond words. Rarely Naveen Patnaik appreciates so glowingly any one. But Pranab Das is an exception.
He was so overwhelmed by the expressive endorsement accorded by Shri Naveen Patnaik that he described it as an ultimate recognition the value of which is high above any position invested and determined by power and pelf. The kind of happiness and deep satisfaction he had after Naveen Patnaik acknowledged his endearing services gave an impression that he was experiencing sublime joy. It was indeed so uplifting for him that he truly considered it as a crowning accomplishment in his eventful career in public life. His statement that position, power and material gains in public life would come and go but the ringing endorsements he received from a leader like Naveen Patnaik who lives in the hearts of people are inestimable. Pranab Praksh Das’s sheer joy constituted an elevated feeling beyond measure by any criteria usually employed to determine the ephemeral and material components of life.
The unspeakable happiness of Pranab Das because of his leader Shri Naveen Patnaik’s trust and confidence on him and his humble assertion that his leader’s unshakable faith on him is all that counts bring out his loyalty and total affinity to the objectives and goals set by his leader to serve people. The numerous onerous tasks entrusted to him were dealt with by him with utmost dedication and sincerity. As an instance Pranab Das recalled the instructions he received from Shri Naveen Patnaik to go on the mission to persuade people in Puri to clear all the structures they had constructed within 75 meters of sacred Jagannath Temple boundary for the purpose of making it a world heritage site. He himself felt that it was an almost impossible task as it involved issues deeply entangled with religion and any attempt to push people beyond a point might result in uncontrollable clashes and violent activities. He was mindful of the fact that in history people have caused terrible violence and bloodshed whenever any one interfered in their activities which were deeply associated with religion and religious issues. Recalling that mission he himself is not able to understand as to how he could slowly succeeded through persuasion and engagement in mobilizing people and convincing them about Naveen Patnaik’s grand mission for clearing the outer area of the sacred shrine of Lord Jagannath for making it a world heritage site. He humbly felt that the divine intervention in the form of boon and benediction of the Lord eventually paved the way for the success of the mission. What he did in making that mission successful was nothing but a lively employment of methods of dialogue, discussion and engagement which are hallmarks of democratic and winsome approach to resolve issues in public life.
So the public endorsement of Shri Naveen Patnaik of Shri Pranab Prakash Das’s dedicated services is an endorsement of values which bring out resolution of issues based on reconciliation and understanding eschewing acrimony and bitterness. It manes transformational politics at the centre of which remain people.