| Personal Information
Shri Janaki Ballav Patnaik was born at Rameswar, Puri, in the State of Orissa on January 3, 1927.
His hobbies are swimming and travelling. He has special interest in studying History, Political Science, Literature and International affairs.
He has been associated with many literary and Cultural Organisations in Orissa. Shri Patnaik is widely travelled and has visited the United Kingdom, Germany, the UAE, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, USSR, Afghanistan, France, Italy and Israel.
He is the author of a biography on Gautam Buddha.
Academic Qualifications
After receiving his early education at Khurda High School, he graduated in Sanskrit (Honours) from the Utkal University in 1947 and received his Master's Degree in Political Science from the Banaras Hindu University in 1949.
On the conclusion of his University education, he took up Journalism and joined the EASTERN TIMES as Sub-Editor.
He was also the Editor of PAURUSHA, a monthly magazine published in Oriya, for a long time.
He has been conferred Pragyan Bachaspati (Hony. D. Lit) by Sri Jagannath Sanskrit University, Puri and D. Lit honour by Rastriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Tirupati. Mr. Patnaik is widely known for his outstanding contribution to Journalism and Oriya literature.He was an eminent student leader during the movement against British Rule and was elected President of the State Youth Congress in 1950. He successfully led a land tenants' movement at Madhupur, Cuttack District in 1953.He was a member of the Working Committee of He was a member of the Standing Committee of the All-India Newspaper Editors' Conference from 1956 to 1960 and of the Sahitya Akademi of Orissa from 1956 to 1967.
He was a fellow of the Senate of Utkal University from 1957 to 1967. | Positions Held
Shri Patnaik was elected to the Lok Sabha from the prestigious Cuttack constituency in 1971.
He was Deputy Minister of Defence in Mrs. Gandhi's Cabinet from 1973 to 1975 and, later Minister of State for Defence until 1977. He initiated many new schemes for the welfare of ex-servicemen and brought about improvements in the cantonment administration in the country.
Shri Patnaik was again elected to the Lok Sabha during the Lok Sabha Election held in January, 1980 and was the Union Cabinet Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation and Labour. Later that year, Shri Patnaik was unanimously elected as Leader of the Congress (I) Legislative Party of Orissa, and became the Chief Minister.
For the second time in 1985 he was unanimously elected as leader of the Congress (I) party of Orissa and was sworn in as Chief Minister of Orissa.
Shri Janaki Ballav Patnaik took over the charge of Chief Minister for the third term on 15th March, 1995.
He was the leader of opposition in the Orissa Legislative Assembly from 2004 – 2009 and appointed Chancellor of the prestigious Tirupati Sanskrit University in Tirupati in 2008.
Shri Janaki Ballav Patnaik was sworn in as Governor of Assam on 11th December 2009. |
