Panchayati Raj Diwas in 2025
Honours Biju Patnaik, an Indian politician who was twice Chief Minister of Odisha
When is Panchayati Raj Diwas?
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2025 | |
| 2022 | |
| 2021 |
Panchayati Raj Diwas in Odisha in 2025
Odisha government has taken a major decision today and declared March 5th as working day and to celebrate the Biju Patnaik Jayanti in a grand manner every year. As per the decision, the Panchayati Raj Diwas, which was earlier observed on March 5, will now be celebrated on April 24th.
In a press release the Chief Minister’s office said that since 2020, the Panchayati Raj Diwas in Odisha has been observed on March 5. However, nationally, the day is celebrated on April 24, coinciding with the anniversary of the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which institutionalized Panchayati Raj systems in India. On this day, representatives from across the country are honoured with awards such as the National Panchayat Awards, Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Awards, and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme Awards.When is Panchayati Raj Diwas?
Panchayati Raj Diwas is a regional public holiday in the Indian state of Odisha on March 5th. The holiday honours Bijayananda Patnaik, an Indian politician popularly called Biju Patnaik.
About Panchayati Raj Diwas
Biju Patnaik, also known as Biju Babu, was born on 5 March 1916. After training as a pilot he joined the Royal Indian Air Force at the start of the Second World War. During his service, he became involved in politics and the Indian struggle for independence. He was jailed by the British for using planes to deliver political leaflets and flying politicians involved in the independence movement to secret meetings across India.
An important figure in post-independence India, Biju Patnaik served twice as the Chief Minister of Odisha from 1961 - 1963 and 1990 - 1995.
Biju Patnaik died, aged 81, in April 1997 of cardio-respiratory failure.
His son Naveen Patnaik became the Chief Minister of Odisha and made Biju Patnaik's birthday, March 5th, as the Panchayat Raj Divas