When is Panchayati Raj Diwas?
Panchayati Raj Diwas is a regional public holiday in the Indian state of Odisha on March 5th. The holiday honours Bijayananda Patnaik, an Indian politician popularly called Biju Patnaik.
About Panchayati Raj Diwas
Biju Patnaik, also known as Biju Babu, was born on 5 March 1916. After training as a pilot he joined the Royal Indian Air Force at the start of the Second World War. During his service, he became involved in politics and the Indian struggle for independence. He was jailed by the British for using planes to deliver political leaflets and flying politicians involved in the independence movement to secret meetings across India.
An important figure in post-independence India, Biju Patnaik served twice as the Chief Minister of Odisha from 1961 - 1963 and 1990 - 1995.
Biju Patnaik died, aged 81, in April 1997 of cardio-respiratory failure.
His son Naveen Patnaik became the Chief Minister of Odisha and made Biju Patnaik's birthday, March 5th, as the Panchayat Raj Divas
