Debasish Patanaik Unveils “BBI: Bhubaneswar Completes Seventy-Five Years”

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 19th August 2024: In a significant event that celebrated the rich history of Bhubaneswar, renowned entrepreneur and proud Bhubaneswarian, Debasish Patanaik, unveiled his latest work, “BBI: Bhubaneswar Completes Seventy-Five Years.” The book launch took place at The Crown, Bhubaneswar – IHCL SeleQtions, at 5 PM, and drew the attention of those passionate about the city’s evolution over the past seven decades.

“BBi: Bhubaneswar Completes Seventy-Five Years” is a meticulously crafted coffee table book that offers a comprehensive photographic narrative of Bhubaneswar’s journey from a planned administrative town to a thriving tier-two city. Originally designed in the post-independence era to accommodate a population of just 20,000, Bhubaneswar has since expanded beyond its intended blueprint to become the largest city in Odisha. The book vividly captures the city’s transformation into a major commercial, educational, and sports hub in eastern India, with insightful commentary that highlights its remarkable growth. Debasish Patanaik, who has observed Bhubaneswar’s development since the 1960s, created this book to preserve its history before modernization erases many of its original structures and locations.

The launch event was graced by several distinguished guests, including the author Shri Debu Patnaik, the book’s designer Shri Jyoti Ranjan Swain, the editor Shri K Ravi, and My City Links Editor Shri Satyabrat (Sanu) Ratho. Special guest Labani Behera also attended the event. A Khatti (discussion) session on Bhubaneswar’s past, present, and future was led by an esteemed panel comprising Smt Shruti Mohapatra, founder of Swabhiman; Shri Saumendra Priyadarshi, Director of Intelligence; Shri Anil Dhir, a renowned historian and researcher; Smt Panchami Manoo Ukil, an eminent birdwatcher and school leader; and Shri Sujit Mohapatra, Founder-Secretary of the Bakul Foundation.

The book was formally launched by a distinguished group of personalities, including Padma Bhushan recipient Smt Pratibha Ray, an acclaimed litterateur; Padma Shri recipient Shri Debi Prasanna Pattnaik, an eminent linguist and author; Shri Anant Mohapatra, an eminent dramatist and theatre personality; Shri Bijay Patnaik, a retired bureaucrat and former Chief Secretary of Odisha; Shri Prasanna Mishra, a retired IAS officer and public policy analyst; Shri Om Prakash, Owner of Modern Book Depot; and Prof Kishore Basa, Chairman of the National Monument Authority.

The event offered a unique glimpse into Bhubaneswar’s journey through the eyes of someone who has witnessed its transformation firsthand, making it a memorable occasion for all those interested in the city’s history, architecture, and culture.