BHUBANESWAR: Rich tributes were paid to legendary leader Biju Patnaik on his 10th death anniversary across the State on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paid floral tribute at statue of his father and former chief minister Biju Patnaik on the premises of Orissa Legislative Assembly while a statue was unveiled at an educational institute here.

Sand artist from Berhampur Subal Moharana's sand sculpture on Biju Patnaik was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister at Forestpark area of the city. The sand sculpture attracted a large crowd throughout the day.

Similarly, Srikant Kumar Padhi, a Mumbai based lawyer who was heading Rastriya Oriya Yubak Pratisthan, declared to write one lakh letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding Bharat Ratna Award for the legendary leader from Orissa.

However, about 50 freedom fighters, who had reached the capital city from different parts of the State to meet the Chief Minister at Forestpark, had to return with gloomy faces as they could not meet him.

Awards presented

At the State-level function organised to mark the death anniversary, successful personalities in 14 categories including bravery, sports, social services and dance were felicitated with Biju Samman at Jayadev Bhawan here on Tuesday evening.

At Cuttack, the birth place of leader, a public meeting was organised to recall Biju Patnaik's contribution towards the State's development.

According to reports from districts, the legendary leader was accorded rich homage at various places.

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