On Monday (August 12, 2024), Naveen Patnaik, former Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition urged the Centre not to abolish UNESCO Kalinga Prize. This prestigious international science award was established by his father, the late Biju Patnaik, in 1952.
“Mr. Patnaik noted that the UNESCO Kalinga Prize had been made possible due to a gracious grant from the Kalinga Foundation Trust worth £1000 to UNESCO Paris in 1951 when it was headed by Biju Babu. It’s the only international award from India in popularizing science,” Mr. Patnaik argued in one of his letters to Jitendra Singh.
He pointed out that this prize over time had become highly sought after as well as an Odia identity at global level.
“When UNESCO Kalinga Prize completed its 50th year successfully, it was agreed upon during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Prime Ministership in 2002 that Department of Science and Technology, Odisha Government and Kalinga Foundation Trust would partner with each other and provide funding for UNESCO Kalinga Prize on a proportional basis of six from DST: four from Orissa Govt.: four from KFT,” added the LoP.
Ex-Chief Minister stated “I am disappointed to know that Department of Science and Technology has decided not to fund this prize anymore.”
According to him winners have included seventy two scientists –seven Nobel laureates including Louis de Brogile, Julian Huxiey, Bertrand Russel, Karl von Frisch, Arthur C Clarke. Fred Hoyle and Sergei Kapitza were recipients.
The President of Biju Janata Dal said this “Kalinga Prize is not just Odia pride but a legacy left behind by independent India in global community of nations. Just imagine young man aged 36 years travelling all way long up to Paris and negotiating with UNESCO to set up an international prize on popularization of science. What could have been in Biju Patnaik’s mind?”
“This vision and bravery of Biju Babu has motivated a number of generations of Odias. This name ‘Kalinga’ given by Biju Babu, whose love for mother land is well known, always exalted the feelings of Odisha. Thus the Kalinga Prize is not just an international award but it is a great legacy which people of Odisha are proud of and identify with,” he pointed out. The former CM sought personal intervention of Mr. Singh for continuation of UNESCO Kalinga Award.
Earlier, the LoP had described BJP Government as ‘name changer’ rather than a ‘game changer’, when he expressed his dissatisfaction over efforts made to eliminate Biju Patnaik’s name from various welfare programmes instituted by it. He accused BJP for changing 45 schemes that was implemented by BJD.
“BJP formed government by promising people that they will bring ‘Paribartan’ (Change). After going through the budget documents, I see Paribartan or Change – This government has changed the names of 45 schemes; BJP said their government will be a Game Changer but unfortunately ended up being a “name changer” and a colour changer”, reported him during his response to State Budget.
