Title: Biju Patnaik: The Rainmaker of Opposition Politics
Author: Bhaskar Parichha
Publisher: Rupa Publications India
Architect of Modern Odisha
Biju had a strong sense of zeal for dreaming big. At that time, no one had even dreamt that there could be a private sector industry, much less one that was successful. He dreamt and succeeded. Throughout his life, Biju stood out as a person with courage, and that by itself chronicled a remarkable saga of industrial adventure in Odisha half a century ago.
In 1945, when he had attempted to establish an industrial empire in Odisha, he had several other responsibilities. He could have remained committed to politics and wielded political power, as he was exposed to it during the height of the freedom struggle. However, he had a unique vision of industrialization of Odisha. As mentioned earlier, Biju was greatly influenced by Manubhai Shah. In the same way that Mahtab taught him the basics of realpolitik, Manubhai taught him the first few lessons of setting up an industry.
In the years following Biju’s release from jail, he developed an unshakable faith in himself and a commitment to utilize his full potential. There were no great merchants or wealthy individuals in his circle, nor was he in possession of vast resources. The only thing he had was a lofty vision. Despite British strongholds throughout the country, he had flipped through quite a few pages on how to struggle and achieve success. However, the actual struggle had not yet begun.
Owing to his aviation background, several years before he became a big industrialist, he had set up his own airline Kalinga Airlines. At one time, it is believed that Biju had seven aircraft registered in his name, a rare possession. This demonstrated the importance of Biju as a pilot—industrialist. Apart from aviation, it was Choudwar’s textile mill that ushered in a new era of industrial expansion in Odisha. With the establishment of the Odisha Textile Mill in Choudwar, he launched the first chapter of his industrial empire. Slowly but surely, the Kalinga Empire was taking shape. Two years later, it swept through the area, adding a few more plants, both large and small. It would be a reiteration of the obvious to dwell on the ingenuity of this stalwart who painted a large industrial landscape on a blank canvas.
In setting his vision of an industrialized Odisha, Biju was clearly aiming to change the fate of Odias; to transform an agriculture-dominated, feudalist economy and society into something more industrial. This was the inevitable course of action that he took.
ODISHA TEXTILE MILL
From 1946 to 1950, Mahtab served as the Chief Minister of Odisha.
There was a great deal of activity during his tenure as
CM Mahtab, like Biju, was also concerned with the industrialization of Odisha. He was seeking a dynamic youth to this end, which he found in Biju. Mahtab was also instrumental in establishing Biju as a leading industrialist in the country. It took just a short period of time for Biju to become one.
In 1944, the interim Indian government decentralized the textile industry. As a result, Odisha received four textile units. As textiles appeared to have great potential, Biju was particularly interested in them. Odisha Textile Mills was established at that time. A company named B. Patnaik & Co. was established. A half stake in the company was owned by Biju. Lala Pratap Singh, a descendant of industrialists Lala Sriram and Bhubanananda Das, held the other half. In Odisha, it was the first private company to begin operations. Through this flagship company, Biju’s enterprise was growing rapidly. Several small- and medium-sized industries emerged, including cotton and ferromanganese. Biju Patnaik & Co. was an industry through and through. It was the birth of a brand. A common thread running through Biju’s corporate credo was the concept of industrialization and diversification.
It was in the late 1940s that Biju joined the Kalinga industrial empire. The primary objective of his career was to establish himself as an upcoming industrialist and develop a company that had the highest annual growth rate. Biju took a shot and Odisha’s industrialization was catapulted into a remarkable era. However, this glory did not last long. Out of his own free will, Btu was renouncing that industrial prowess. The two contrasting factors that contributed to his disdain for the position must have been his well-publicized commitment to do something for the slothful people of Odisha and his dislike of the responsibilities that came with being a manager.
After a brief blossoming, his entrepreneurial spirit soon faded. Biju was the only one apart from Prafulla Chandra Roy[1] in West Bengal, who was able to build industries from scratch. It has been decades since Sir Prafulla Chandra Roy pioneered the West Bengal industry before it withered away.
In 1963, Biju gave away his Ironworks plant in Barbil to the state when it was earning 10-15 per cent profit annually. Biju then gave other plants to his employees. The Kalinga Group saw a gradual decline once he made everything available to the state. All of this had the potential to make him the richest man in the state. This reluctance to engage in business, which Biju demonstrated later as well, was accompanied by a lack of expectation of compensation. All he wanted was a progressive Odisha, which could have never become a reality if he had no political power.
[1]Physicist, educator, historian, industrialist and philanthropist, Roy was an eminent figure in Indian science. Known as the father of chemical science in India, he established the first modern Indian research school in chemistry. While being the founder of Bengal Chemical & Pharmaceuticals, he also served as its chairman.
About the Book
Transitioning from pilot to freedom fighter, businessman to politician, Biju Patnaik(1916-1997) was a multifaceted leader and towering regional icon who has left behind an impactful legacy. Step into the riveting saga of Biju Patnaik, the icon of resurgent opposition politics, through this compelling biography, Biju Patnaik: The Rainmaker of Opposition Politics. His journey, from leaving office in 1963 to reclaiming it in 1990, epitomized resilience and rebirth in politics. Whether as chief minister or Opposition leader, Patnaik’s unwavering connection with the people of Odisha defied conventional politics. Navigating triumphs and trials, Patnaik wielded immense influence, shaping the state’s destiny. His adept manoeuvring from the state secretariat to the corridors of power in Delhi showcased unparalleled strategic prowess, strengthening Opposition alliances and advocating for a credible alternative to the dominant Congress. Biju had tremendous faith in Opposition unity, considering it vital for the survival of democracy in the country. A visionary and unifier, Biju Patnaik’s legacy as a stalwart of Opposition unity echoes through the captivating pages of this stirring account.
About the Author
Bhaskar Parichha is a renowned name in Odisha journalism. Throughout his four-decade long career in the media industry, he has been affiliated with various newspapers in the state. He is the writer of Unbiased: Writings on India, No Strings Attached: Writings on Odisha, and Madhubabu – The Global Indian. Recently, he has also edited a collection titled Naveen@25 – Perspectives. Residing in Bhubaneswar, he is known for his bilingual writing.
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