File Photo: Former Odisha Chief Minister JB Patnaik. (Press Trust of India)
Known for his political acumen and skill in devising plans, Janaki Ballabh Patnaik remained the focus of Odisha politics for over four decades.
Mr Patnaik, aged 89, died in Tirupati today. His death was condoled by senior leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Hailing from a humble background, Mr JB Patnaik not only proved his abilities in politics by becoming a Union minister, three-time Chief Minister and Governor, but also displayed his versatility by excelling in literature, journalism and culture. He became a journalist and joined English daily 'Eastern Times' as a sub-editor. He became Joint Editor in 1950 and eventually role to become Editor. Simultaneously he took up editorship of Odia daily 'Prajatantra' before publishing the monthly journal 'Pourusha' in 1967 which came to be known for its rich quality.
Born on January 3, 1927 at Rameswar near Khurda, Mr Patnaik graduated in Sanskrit from Utkal University in 1947 and got Master's Degree in Political Science from Benaras Hindu University in 1949.
Indoctrinated into politics soon after completing his education, Mr Patnaik, who passed away at Tirupati today, was at the centre of political activities in the state even when Congress was out of power. though his family had no links with politics.
Mr Patnaik became president of state Youth Congress in 1953 and successfully led a tenants' movement at Madhupur in Cuttack in 1954.
He was elected to Lok Sabha in 1971 and became a Deputy Minister of Defence under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1973 to 1975 and then Minister of State for Defence till 1980.
He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in January 1980 and became Union Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Labour.
Later that year, Mr Patnaik was unanimously elected as leader of Congress Legislature Party of Odisha The Congress stalwart became Odisha's Chief Minister in 1980 and continued in office till 1989. He bounced back to power in 1995 and remained Chief Minister till 1999.
Mr Patnaik's period as Chief Minister was described as a 'golden age' by his loyalists who said the state made all round progress during 14 years of his rule.
He was, however, criticised for several scandals during his tenure, including the infamous Chhabirani murder case of mid-80s.
The veteran was the Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly from 2004 to 2009. In 2009, he was appointed the Governor of Assam.
People close to him recall that as Governor of Assam, Mr Patnaik was instrumental for the entry of women into 'Kirtan Ghar' (Sanctum Sanctorum) of Patbausi Satra in Central Assam.
Besides his political career, he was an eminent literateur and won many literary awards. He won the Central Sahitya Akademi for his Odia translation of Bankim Chandra's novels titled 'Bankim Chandra Upanyasmala' in 2001 and Odisha Sahitya Akademi award for 'Bairagya Shataka', a translation of Bhartruhari's celebrated Sanskrit work, in 1996.
Mr Patnaik had translated the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Shrimad Bhagvat Gita into Odia. He also wrote books on Sindhu Upatyaka and Gautam Buddha.