Indonesia Remembers Legendary Biju Patnaik through Photo Exhibition

New Delhi: The Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi has showcased the contribution of former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik to the freedom struggle of Indonesia at a photo exhibition held here on Thursday.

A special gallery on the legendary Odisha leader, who was awarded the ‘Bhoomi Putra’, the highest Indonesian award, was set up at the exhibition, which was organized at Teen Murti House here on the theme “A Moment of Reflection”.

Prem Patnaik, the eldest son of Biju Patnaik, has attended the photo exhibition.

“This moment is even more auspicious with the presence of Mr. Prem Patnaik, the eldest son of Biju Patnaik, the heroic pilot & great friend of President Soekarno & Mohammad Hatta”, the Indonesian Embassy tweeted.

This moment is even more auspicious with the presence of Mr. Prem Patnaik, the eldest son of Biju Patnaik, the heroic pilot & great friend of President Soekarno & Mohammad Hatta.#IniDiplomasi#IndonesianWay@Naveen_Odisha@CMO_Odisha@suryodipuro @Puspen_TNI @_TNIAU pic.twitter.com/zi96z9V9ex

— IndonesianEmbassy ND (@KBRI_NewDelhi) February 27, 2020

The photo exhibition celebrates the historical journey and long cherished friendship between India and Indonesia in the early era of colonialism and post-colonialism.

Biju Patnaik is admired in Indonesia for his contribution to the Indonesian freedom struggle. In July 1947, Patnaik, an expert pilot, was given the responsibility to bring Indonesian revolutionary leaders Sutan Sjahrir and Mohammad Hatta to Delhi by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

For his act of bravery during the Indonesia freedom struggle, Patnaik was given honorary citizenship in Indonesia and awarded the ‘Bhoomi Putra’, the highest Indonesian award, rarely granted to a foreigner.

In 1995, when Indonesia was celebrating its 50th Independence Day, Biju Patnaik was awarded the highest national award, the ‘Bintang Jasa Utama’.

The photo exhibition portrays these historic moments linked with Biju Patnaik.