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Late
Basant Kumar Biswal is the founder of The Samaya.
Born in 1933 in village Tulang in Cuttack district
in Orissa, graduated from the prestigious
Ravenshaw College Cuttack, he devoted himself to
Social Service.
He
was elected to Orissa Legislative Assembly for
three terms from his home Constituency Tirtol and
during 1980-85 he was a Minister and during
1995-2000 he was Deputy Chief Minister, Orissa.
Every sector of administration which came in his
charge received his Midas touch. He is remembered
as legendary architect of modern Orissa. He has
given road connectivity to various parts of the
state by building roads and bridging the rivers,
created irrigation facilities for 2.5 lakh
hectares of agricultural land in a period of 5
years - got national grade Indoor Stadium built at
Cuttack, strengthened and expanded Bharat Scouts
and Guides movement in the state - all in amazing
speed. A great patron of literature and culture,
he is the creator of Sarala Bhavan, a magnificent
3 storeyed complex with 24000 sq. ft. built up
area at Cuttack in memory of 15th centure Oriya
epic poet Sarala Das.
He
enjoyed affectionate appreciation of Dr.
Harekrushna Mahatab and on his request remained
associated with The Prajatantra, for sometime of
which Dr. Mahatab was the founder . This was his
direct involvement in publication of newspaper.
The
Samaya was established by him as the first colour
Oriya daily with a well equipped modern printing
press. After the will of its Founder, The Samaya
is fresh in news, fair in views, reader friendly
and a quality out put.
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