An able statesman, astute politician and a charismatic leader, Biswanath Das (1889-1984) was born in Polasara village of
Ganjam District in
Orissa. After completing his Bachelor of Law form the
Calcutta University in 1918, he started his law practice as a junior lawyer under Madhusudan Das. In response to the call of
Mahatma Gandhi, he gave up his law practice and joined the Non-Co operation movement in 1921. As a great patriot and freedom fighter, he led the peasant movement and advocated for the creation of a separate state of Orissa. He actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha and was imprisoned in 1942 for taking part in the Quit-India movement.
Biswanath Das got elected to Lok Sabha in 1950 and was the president of the Utkal Congress Committee from 1952 to 1960. He also served as the governor of Uttar Pradesh from 1961-66. During the political crisis of 1971, he was appointed as the chief minister of the state.
During his tenure in the highest office of the state, he had formed several laws to help the farmers. A person of high morale and discipline, Biswanath Das was successful in leaving an indelible impression on a resurgent Orissa. He passed away in 1984.
