Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik returned here on Monday afternoon to a tumultuous reception with thousands of people thronging the Biju Patnaik International Airport and lining up both sides of the road to his residence to greet him over his being conferred with the ‘Ideal Chief Minister Award’ at a Students’ Congress organised by the MIT World Peace University in Pune on Sunday.
Addressing a huge gathering near the airport in Odia, Patnaik said, “I am indebted to you for your love and affection. I dedicate this award to you. let us work together to make Odisha the No. 1 State in the country.”
The Chief Minister complimented the people for turning up in such large numbers from far-off places braving the sun.
later, the Chief Minister was taken in a large procession from the airport to his house, Naveen Niwas, by Ministers, MlAs and other BJD member as well as common people.
The BJD had made elaborate arrangements to accord the grand welcome to the party supremo. A large number of arches, Patnaik’s life-size hoardings and banners were put up at various places in the city and the airport.
More than 20 pandals were erected en route to the Naveen Niwas in which cultural troupes from various parts of the State kept the audience engrossed with their performances.
Barricades were erected on both sides of the road as over 40,000 party workers and commoners lined up to greet Patnaik and lustily shouted various slogans in his favour.
Notably, it is for the second time that Patnaik has been recognised at the national level for his work for development of the State. Earlier, he was conferred with the ‘Best Administrator’ award by the Outlook magazine on August 19, 2017.