On the 107th anniversary of the birth of legendary politician Biju Patnaik, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday displayed his classic Dakota airplane for public viewing at the Bhubaneswar airport. On January 18, 2023, Pioneer pilot Biju Patnaik’s Dakota DC-3 aircraft was flown from the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata to the Odisha capital, where it was refurnished before being shown to the general public at the Biju Patnaik International Airport. was made from.
The 10-man team at Aerospace Research Development required 12 days to dismantle the aircraft and pack it down to the proper size for public viewing. An official said that a team of engineers, technicians and experts assembled the destroyed aircraft.
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Odisha IT Secretary Manoj Mishra, who was part of the team for the refurbishment and restoration of the iconic Dakota aircraft, said in a statement: “Today is an emotional day for all of us. We have heard many stories about late Biju.” Patnaik ji, how he went and rescued people from Indonesia, how he landed in Leh, Jammu and Kashmir. We did not have any living symbol of his bravery in Odisha.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today unveiled “Dakota” aircraft for public display at Biju Patnaik International Airport Bhubaneswar
According to the CMO, the iconic Dakota aircraft belonged to the erstwhile Kalinga Airlines, founded by former Odisha chief minister (late) Biju Patnaik. pic.twitter.com/HX2jmc4EvW– ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2023
Mishra said, “When we brought the Dakota from the Kolkata airport, it was in a really dilapidated condition. We have restored it in full glory, and it now stands as a testimony to the daredevilry of Biju Babu. It will inspire generations upon generations as people see, and new generations read about it.”
Noted historian Anil Dhir said that this is probably the first airport in the world where an aircraft is being displayed at the entrance for public viewing.
Before Dakota was brought to Odisha, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had allotted 1.1 acres of land in front of the airport in the name of the veteran leader to house the aircraft. A memorial will be made for this.
It is a matter of pride for the Government of Odisha to unveil the Dakota DC-3 aircraft. A release from the commerce and transport department said the public display of the aircraft would serve as an embodiment of the courage and adventurism of the former chief minister and inspire the people of Odisha to dream big.
The government is planning to build a mini walk-through museum at the site of the demonstration. It will showcase Biju Patnaik’s young days when he flew planes, his adventure stories and photographs and stories of his high-risk missions.
Before joining politics, Biju Patnaik was an accomplished pilot and founded Kalinga Airlines with a fleet of 15 Dakota aircraft. As part of his daring journey, Biju Patnaik rescued the then Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Hatta and Prime Minister Sutan Sajharir in 1947. The Indonesian government twice honored Biju Patnaik with the country’s highest civilian award ‘Bhoomiputra’ for his daring mission.
Since this aircraft is closely associated with Biju Patnaik, it will be a tribute to Odisha’s rich aviation history, a fitting tribute to one of Odisha’s most iconic personalities. An official statement issued by the CMO said that people will see this Dakota aircraft as a memento of the bravery and valor of late Biju Patnaik.
with PTI inputs