Naveen Patnaik to Honor His Father Biju Patnaik at Russian Victory Day Ceremony

Bhubaneswar Leader to Attend Commemoration in New Delhi

Bhubaneswar: Naveen Patnaik, the Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly and president of the BJD, is set to travel to New Delhi to receive an honor from the Russian Embassy recognizing his father, Biju Patnaik, for his role in the 'Stalingrad Operation' during World War II, according to party insiders.

The Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, has extended an invitation to Patnaik to be the Guest of Honour at the ceremony on May 9, coinciding with Russia's Victory Day, which celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany.

"Patnaik will participate in the event in New Delhi on May 9," sources confirmed.

In his correspondence, Alipov noted, "Among the heroes we honor is your late father, Honourable Shri Biju Patnaik ji, a distinguished figure and courageous pilot of the Indian National Airways, who contributed to the Stalingrad Operation by delivering arms to the encircled Red Army."

The Battle of Stalingrad, fought from July 1942 to February 1943, is recognized for the successful defense of the city by Soviet forces during World War II.

The letter further stated that Russia will pay tribute to those who united against Nazism in the anti-Hitler coalition and commemorate the heroic actions of the former Soviet Union and its allies, who endured the harshest conflict in human history.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to be the Chief Guest at the event.

Biju Patnaik served as the Chief Minister of Odisha for two non-consecutive terms, from 1961 to 1963 and again from 1990 to 1995. He passed away on April 17, 1997.