President to dedicate Biju museum in Odisha
Bhubaneswar/New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind will visit Odisha to dedicate Anand Bhawan Museum and Learning Centre to the people of the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Saturday.
The Chief Minister, who paid a courtesy call on the President of India in New Delhi on Saturday, said the President will visit the state on March 17 or 18.
"President has agreed to inaugurate the Anand Bhawan in Cuttack either on March 17 or 18. It will be a museum-cum-learning centre in the memory of Biju Babu," Naveen told reporters.
He mentioned that national and international tourists would get an opportunity to visit the heritage building which is witness to innumerable patriotic acts during the struggle of Independence.
Anand Bhawan, the ancestral house of the legendary leader Biju Patnaik, has been donated by his children including the Chief Minister as a tribute to the people of Odisha for their love and affection.
The state government recently converted it into a museum and learning centre, housing various personal belongings of Biju Patnaik, his childhood photographs, memorabilia, other rare personal articles and books, narrating his role in the freedom struggle of India and Indonesia.
The Chief Minister also presented a book "The Tall Man Biju Patnaik" to the President. The book authored by Sundar Ganesan is a monumental work on the legendary leader.
The President thanked Patnaik for his unique gesture and accepted the invitation to dedicate Anand Bhawan to the people of Odisha.
--IANS
cd/nir