Bhubaneswar: Naveen Patnaik, the Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly and president of the BJD, expressed his dedication to serving the State and its citizens for the rest of his life. He made this statement while participating in the party’s ongoing annual ‘Jan Sampark Padayatra’ on his 79th birthday. This marked Patnaik’s first public appearance in almost six months following medical treatment in hospitals located in Mumbai and Bhubaneswar. After his recovery, he rested for about a month in Delhi before returning to Odisha last week. The five-time chief minister led the march at Ganga Nagar Palli within the Ekamra-Bhubaneswar Assembly segment and walked a short distance as part of the BJD’s Jan Sampark padayatra.
“I am always with you (the people of Odisha) and will remain so. I will continue to serve Mother Odisha till the end of my life,” Patnaik addressed the crowd. He began his brief speech with the slogan ‘Jai Jagannath’, thanking those present for joining the BJD’s annual Yatra. “BJD is your party and a party of the people of Odisha,” he stated, celebrating his 79th birthday on October 16. The Jan Sampark Padayatra, which commenced on October 9 in honor of ‘Utkalmani’ Gopabandhu Das’s birth anniversary, will run until November 9. Throughout this month-long yatra, the BJD aims to highlight the purported failures of the BJP government.
After joining the yatra, Patnaik visited the ‘SOS’ village in the Khandagiri area, where he interacted with residents and distributed sweets to children. He also celebrated his 79th birthday by cutting a cake at the SOS village, which is managed by a non-governmental organization. Meanwhile, Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended birthday greetings to Naveen Patnaik. Kambhampati posted, “Warm birthday greetings to Shri @Naveen_Odisha Ji.
May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless him with good health, happiness, and a long life ahead.” The Chief Minister’s Office also shared Majhi’s heartfelt birthday wishes, stating, “I pray to Lord Shri Jagannath for your excellent health, long life, and a joyful life.” Various events were organized in celebration of Patnaik’s birthday, who was born on October 16, 1946, in Cuttack. Rajya Sabha member Subhasish Khuntia arranged a ‘Maha Deep Dan’ (offering of traditional lamp) in front of the Lord Jagannath temple, praying for the former chief minister’s long and healthy life.
