Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik celebrated Diwali with children on Sunday.
Patnaik visited the SOS Children’s Village at Khandagiri here and distributed sweets and gifts among its inmates to mark the festival.
Besides, he announced a financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh for the SOS Village for development activities.
Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy visited the Chetna, an institution of special education, and interacted with its children.
The Chief Minister’s Personal Secretary VK Pandian visited the sports hostel in the premises of Kalinga Stadium and celebrated the Diwali with its inmates.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister had advised senior officials, including the Chief Secretary and district Collectors, to visit childcare institutions and celebrate Diwali with children.
Besides, he had asked the DGP and the SPs to celebrate Diwali with jawans of different battalions.
“Celebrated Diwali with family members, including children of police personnel at RP Lines, Bhubaneswar, in presence of CP and others. Innovative and maiden connect of the sort,” tweeted DGP BK Sharma.