Students take part in mini-marathon to mark the 97th birth anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. (PTI)

Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, March 5: A mini marathon, walkathon, paintings and other celebrations marked former chief minister Biju Patnaik’s 97th birth anniversary today. Young and old, leaders and common man took part in the events that criss-crossed the twin cities.

Tributes that moved

Thousands of people from various age groups and backgrounds joined the traditional Biju Patnaik mini-marathon in Bhubaneswar that was flagged off from Forest Park by chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

The marathon, organised by the department of sports and youth services, witnessed nearly 2,000 people in the age group of 15 to 59 run till Kalinga Stadium. Senior citizens took part in a walkathon.

The first-ever Biju Patnaik mini mass race organised on Tuesday to infuse a sporting spirit among people received an overwhelming response. Nearly 5,000 children, college goers, men and women turned up for the event. Eminent bodybuilder Premchand Dogra and former athlete Ashwini Nachappa attended the event as guests and gave away prizes worth Rs 2.81 lakh to the winners in various categories.

In Cuttack, a mini marathon for schoolchildren and a walkathon for senior citizens was organised by the Odisha Veteran Sportspersons’ Association.

Pictures speak aloud

Artists paid tribute to the former chief minister by exhibiting some very rare paintings of the legendary leader at his Anand Bhavan residence in Cuttack.

Organised by the local unit of the BJD, the exhibition involving 13 members of the Creative Artists’ Group provided a glimpse into the life of the man, fondly known as Biju babu. “Sixteen paintings depicting various aspects of his early political life, family and various dream projects have been displayed,” said secretary of Creative Artists’ Group Sasikant Rout.

All the artworks were replicated on canvas from rare photographs of Biju babu.

BJD bash

The BJD marked the occasion with a special programme. This was the first birth anniversary after the May 29 failed “coup” against Naveen.