By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, July 21, 2024: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday announced that the state government’s Biju Patnaik Sports Award would not be renamed. His clarification comes after severe criticism from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

In a press briefing at Lok Seva Bhawan, Majhi said the Biju Patnaik Sports Award will continue like in the past and there is no plan to change it. Majhi said his government has not taken any formal decision to drop Biju Patnaik’s name from the award.
Earlier, the Sports and Youth Services Department on Friday created a political stir after issuing guidelines for this year’s award, renaming it ‘Rajya Krida Samman’.

Majhi said, he learnt through the media about the renaming of the Biju Patnaik Sports Award. “The sports award was instituted in the name of Biju Babu and no such decision has been taken to change its name. In his long illustrious political career, Biju Babu’s contribution in the political and social sphere for Odisha and the country will always be remembered. …My government gives much importance to legendary personalities of the soil,” said Majhi, who then went to Naveen Niwas to meet former CM Naveen Patnaik.

Biju Patnaik’s contribution towards the state and the country was memorable, he added. “Biju Patnaik Sports Award will continue as it is,” the CM asserts.

The award presented on the occasion of National Sports Day on August 29 is presented in eight different categories – outstanding performance in sports and games, lifetime achievement in the promotion of sports and games, best contribution for the promotion of sports and games, best para sportsperson, best upcoming athlete, excellence in coaching and excellence in sports journalism.

The opposition BJD headed by Biju Patnaik’s son Naveen Patnaik, unleashed attacks on the BJP government for renaming the award. Senior BJD MLA Arun Sahoo had said that Biju Patnaik, a noted aviator and a former CM of the state, was not an individual but an institution. “He was a national asset and was honoured by three different countries.

By removing his name from a sports award, what does the BJP government want to prove?” he asked.

Former state Pradesh Congress Committee chief Jaydev Jena said changing the name of a scheme or award does not change the reality.

Jena said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government had done this before when they changed the name of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

“The Mohan Majhi-led government is also following the Modi model. Biju Patnaik is a legend in Odisha and the naming of the sports award after him was a fitting tribute to him. Instead of initiating real change, Majhi govt is resorting to cheap politics,” Jena said.

The previous BJD government led by Naveen Patnaik instituted the award in 2001-2002 to felicitate sports personalities and excellence in sports journalism. The award is given in eight categories every year.