Dakota

Dakota The Dakota DC-3 aircraft used by Biju Patnaik, an ace pilot, was brought from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata to the Odisha capital on January 18, 2023, and remade before it was put for public viewing at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday unveiled the iconic Dakota (DC-3) Aircraft (VT-AUI) which was part of erstwhile Kalinga Airlines founded by legendary former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. According to the State government, which had installed the aircraft in Biju Patnaik International Airport as a relic after its refurbishment and reassembling, the airlines had operated nearly a dozen of Dakotas and the former CM was its chief pilot. “This aircraft was used by him to rescue former Indonesian Vice- President Md. Hatta and former Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir. For his effort, Late Biju Patnaik was given an honorary citizenship of Indonesia and awarded the title of Bhumi Putra by the Indonesian Government, a recognition rarely granted to a foreigner,” Before joining politics, Biju Patnaik was an ace pilot and also established Kalinga Airlines having a fleet of 15 Dakota aircraft. As part of his adventure trip, Biju Patnaik had rescued erstwhile Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Hatta and Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir in 1947. The Indonesian government had twice decorated Biju Patnaik with 'Bhumiputra', the highest civilian award of the country, for his daredevil mission.Bhubaneswar Airport was renamed as Biju Patnaik International Airport in honour to Biju Patnaik, who was an important Indian politician and chief minister of Odisha state. Biju Patnaik International Airport (IATA: BBI, ICAO: VEBS) is located in the Indian city of Bhubaneswar, capital city of the state of Odisha, just 3 km from Bhubaneswar city centre. #pinldeodisha #pindleindia #pindler #guidebook #guidebook1 #guidebook2 #dakota #bijupattnaik