Social Media Flooded With Birthday Wishes For Odisha CM

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik turned 72 on Tuesday.

Though Naveen on Monday had announced that he would not celebrate his birthday, in view of the large-scale destruction and human suffering in the aftermath of cyclone ‘Titli’ and the subsequent floods in three South Odisha districts, wishes poured in on social media for the ‘most popular CM in India’.

In a media briefing, Naveen had requested his well-wishers and ruling BJD party workers and leaders not to organise any function.

In 2013 and 2014 also, he had not celebrated his birthday due to cyclones Phailin and Hudhud.

The Chief Minister was born on October 16, 1946, in Cuttack.

Internationally acclaimed sand sculptor Sudarshan Patnaik wished Naveen through his sand art. He posted the picture of his creation on Twitter and wrote, “Wishing a very Happy Birthday to Hon’ble  CM @Naveen_Odisha . May Lord Jagannath bless u with good health and long life. My SandArt  at #Puri beach.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter and wrote, “Best wishes to Odisha CM Shri Naveen Patnaik Ji on his birthday. Naveen Ji is one of India’s senior-most leaders who has been serving the people of Odisha for many years. May he lead a long and healthy life. @Naveen_Odisha.”

Best wishes to Odisha CM Shri Naveen Patnaik Ji on his birthday. Naveen Ji is one of India’s senior-most leaders who has been serving the people of Odisha for many years. May he lead a long and healthy life. @Naveen_Odisha

Petroleum and  Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also tweeted, “ଓଡିଶାର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ ନବୀନ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକଙ୍କୁ  @Naveen_Odisha ଜନ୍ମ ଦିନର ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭକାମନା  ସହ ଦୀର୍ଘ  ଓ ନିରାମୟ ଜୀବନ କାମନା କରୁଛି।.”

OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik also had a message for the Chief Minister, “Birthday greetings to Shri Naveen Patnaik. I wish him good health and happiness. @Naveen_Odisha.”

Director General of Police, Odisha, Dr Rajendra Sharma tweeted, “Heartiest greetings to Sri Naveen Patnaik ji, Hon’ble CM of Odisha on his birthday. Pray for his long & healthy life. @Naveen_Odisha #HappyBirthdayNaveenPatnaik.”

In a recent survey by India Today, Naveen had emerged as the most popular Chief Minister in India. Around 58 per cent of Odia people preferred him as their next Chief Minister, the survey said.