Everyone knows Naveen Patnaik, the former Chief Minister of Odisha and his father Vijayanand (Biju) Patnaik. But since there is no information about Biju Patnaik’s father Laxmi Narayan Patnaik in any book, people are often unaware of him. So let’s know some unknown facts about Laxminarayan Patnaik. :
Laxmi Narayan Patnaik was born on July 1, 1875 in his Nuagaon parental house, 2 kilometers away from Bhanjanagar.
Laxmi Narayan’s father, Jagannath Patnaik, was an engineer during British rule, while his father Dalitabandhu Patnaik was in charge of the Nizam of Hyderabad’s army for Ganjam.
The Patnaik family has been associated with the British government since its inception.
Bijubabu’s father Laxminarayan Patnaik is the fifth among the 11 sons of Jagannath Patnaik. Lakshmi Narayan completed his schooling in Bhanjanagar and did his Intermediate at Khalikot College Berhampur and then BA from Madras College in 1896, B.L from the same University in 1904 and joined the Judiciary Department of Bengal-Odisha Government as a Judge.
In 1930, he retired as Sub-Judge of Puri. He was awarded a Member of the British Empire (M.B.E) by the British Government for his services. After his retirement, he was appointed Dewan of Parla Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Dev’s Delang Zamindar.
In 1931, the Maharaja of Paralakhemundi attended the Round Table Conference in London to create a separate Odisha. Lakshmi Narayan Patnaik and SN Rajguru prepared the round table documents for Maharaj.
Mahatma Gandhi came to Odisha on March 25-31, 1938. At that time, Mahatma Gandhi was staying in Barboch near the Delang Estate of Parla Raja. Lakshmi Narayan Patnaik made all the arrangements for Gandhiji’s stay.
After retiring from there, he founded Utkal Chemicals, Utkal Bank, Odia Sahitya Prachar Samiti etc. He also established orthodox school, leprosy ashram, library etc. Like the great Madhubabu, Laxminarayan was also a man of Odia soul. At one time he served as a Standard Judge, a supporter of the Utah Conference, a great organizer of orthodox literature, a good politician and a freedom fighter.
Lakshmi Narayan married a Bengali woman named Ashalata. Both had four issues/children. They are Shraddhananda (George Patnaik), Sukritadevi (daughter), Vijayananda (Biju Patnaik) and Dinananda (Siju Patnaik).
In 1940, Lakshmi Narayan joined Manjusha (now Mandasa, Andhra Pradesh) as the manager of the zamindar area, which at that time came under the Ganjam state. However, he breathed his last on February 17, 1941.
(Published in Odia daily newspaper Dharitri in Odia language)