Why Naveen Patnaik Chose To Skip His 77th Birthday Celebrations

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik did not celebrate his 77^th birthday. Reason: he was in grief as his sister Gita Mehta, the celebrated author passed away on September 16, 2023. But, this is not the first time Patnaik is skipping his birthday celebrations in spite of the fact his party workers wanted to celebrate it with fanfare. Many CMs announce social welfare schemes to coincide with their birthdays.  Not Patnaik. Incidentally, it is the sixth consecutive year he is giving the celebration a miss and specially requested well-wishers, party workers not to throng his official residence Naveen Niwas with garlands and bouquets.  Instead he asked them to celebrate his birthday with the underprivileged, orphan and differently-abled children. In the past six years his reason for skipping the celebrations has been on account of some tragedy besieging his state like flood, cyclone,covid-19 pandemic. In keeping with Patnaik’s desire, BJD leaders planted trees, visited hospitals and distributed fruits. His close circle says he is not a partying man…he prefers to be in the background motivating party leaders to touch people’s lives instead.