Sri Vijaya Puram, June: The birthday of Bishnu Pada Ray, a towering figure in Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ political landscape, was marked with warmth and respect as top national leaders – from Rashtrapati Bhavan to key ministerial offices, extended heartfelt greetings, reflecting the esteem he continues to command across party lines and institutions.
President of India, Droupadi Murmu, in a message dated June 16, conveyed her “best wishes” to the former Member of Parliament on his birthday. “May God bless you with good health and happiness and many more years of continued and dedicated service to the nation,” she wrote, recognising Ray’s steadfast service to one of India’s remotest regions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, writing on June 13, called the day “a moment to get inspired by achievements of the past,” noting that Ray’s dedication and hard work have played “an important role in the nation’s progress.” The PM added, “I am confident that your continued efforts will play a vital role in propelling the nation to scale greater heights.”
Vice President of India Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda also joined the chorus of admiration with a message on June 19, saying: “Warm greetings and good wishes on your birthday today. May God bless you with a happy, healthy and long fruitful life dedicated to the service of the nation.”
Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, described Ray as an “inspiring” leader. In his birthday note, he wrote, “May this birthday bring you all the success, happiness and prosperity you wish for… I pray to Maa Kamakhya to bestow Her blessings on you to have a healthy and long life ahead.”
Adding to the outpouring, BJP National Vice President and MP from Kendrapara, Odisha, wrote: “On this birthday of yours I would like to extend my warm wishes and pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannath that you be blessed with good health and long life and be blessed with continued success and greater achievements.”
These messages, personal and reflective, go beyond formal courtesy. They are a recognition of Bishnu Pada Ray’s decades of public service and his pivotal role in advocating for the development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Ray, who is the Member of Parliament for multiple terms, is widely credited for voicing the strategic and civil concerns of islanders in the national arena. At a time when India is entering its Amrit Kaal – a transformative era of development, the reverence shown to him on this day symbolises the enduring respect he holds not just in islands but across the corridors of power in Delhi.
