Nuakhai Juhar

World Coconut Day / Biswa Narikela Dibasa

Persons We are Proud of: JANAKI BALLAV PATNAIK

Janaki Ballav Patnaik

JANAKI BALLAV PATNAIK (January 3,1927-April 21,2015):- Janaki Ballav Patnaik was born on January 3, 1927 at Rameswar village in Khurda district. He did his Post Graduation in Political Sciece from Banaras Hindu University in 1949 after he finished his graduation in sanskrit. While in Ravehshaw College JB lead the students' movement for removal of Union Jack from the college premises. Janaki Ballav was the Chief Minister for two consecutive terms from 1980 to 1989 and then again from 1995 to 1999. Elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1971 from the prestigious Cuttack Lok Sabha seat, Janaki Babu served in the cabinet of Indira Gandhi as the Civil Aviation, Tourism and Labour Minister in 1980. He was Deputy Minister of Defence in Indira Gandhi's council of Ministers from 1973 to 1978 and became the minister of state for Defense till 1977.

He was appointed Governor of Assam in 2009. He was also the President of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) four times from 1977-1980, 1992-98, 1999-2001 and 2003-04. He was the leader of opposition in the Odisha Assembly from 2004 to 2009. He was elected to Assembly five times and twice to Lok Sabha. He was the member of All-India congress committee since 1975 and member All-India congress working committee from 1982-92, 2002-2004.

JB is the Author of a Biography on Goutam Buddha. He also authored a book of poem and two books of essays on the Ramayan and Mahabharat. He has translated Srimad Bhagabata into odia. He translated all the Novels of Bankim Chandra.

He passed away on 21st April 2015 at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh while he was on a tour to attend convocation at the Tirupati Rashtriya Sanskrit University of which he was the chancellor.

Persons We are Proud of: BHIKARI BAL

Bhajan Samrat Bhikari Bal

BHIKARI BAL (May 25, 1929 - November 2, 2010): Bhikari Bal was born in village Sobala, Kendrapara District Bhajan Samrat has enriched the Oriya culture to great extent with his contributions. Known for his melodious voice Bhikari Bal became a household name, not only in Orissa but also across the country. This renowned singer passed away in November 2, 2010, but his memories remain. His lucid and moving renditions of bhajans written by old generation poets such as Gopalkrushna, Dinakrushna, Baldev, Banamali and Salabega are still popular today. Bhikari Bal started singing from 1963, but his popularity grew with ‘Kotha bhoga khia…’ and other such devotional songs in the early ’70s. Surely there will never be another Bhajan Samrat like him. His bhajans on Jagannath and recitals on Gita Govinda made him a household name in Orissa. He had also sung Champu, Chhanda, Folk songs and Oriya film songs. He was awarded the title of Bhajan Samrat by the Puri Gajapati. Additionally, he was also awarded as Srichamu Surasevaka, Bhajan Maudamani, Bhakta Kantha upadhi, Odisha Sangita Natak Academy Award, Kabichandra Puraskar and was given special privileges inside the temple for his devotional tribute to Lord Jagannath.