Spend time with orphans, disabled: CM to followers

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who turns 73 on Wednesday, has asked his supporters to spend time with the orphans and disabled. “I request our party workers and well-wishers to visit orphanages and schools meant for the disabled and contribute something for them instead of visiting my residence to greet me,” said Naveen.

“Not just my birthday, you should visit such places on all your memorable days such as birthdays and marriage anniversaries with family. Children are our future. I will be happy if you could do anything for them,” said the chief minister, who will not celebrate his birthday in view of hardships inflicted by cyclone Fani that struck Odisha coast near Puri on May 3.

“This year cyclone Fani has caused lots of damages. In view of that I have decided not to celebrate my birthday,” a statement issued by the CM’s office attributed Naveen as saying. Sixty-four people were killed in the cyclone in the state while infrastructure in Puri and Bhubaneswar were badly damaged.

His party has announced to hold voluntary blood donation camps across the state to mark the occasion. The party has targetted to collect at least 10,000 units of blood in camps organised under ‘Jiban Bindu,’ a voluntary blood donation campaign by the regional party launched on March 5, 2015, birth anniversary of party ideologue Biju Patnaik. “I am very happy that blood donation camps are being organised,” Naveen said.

He has skipped celebrating of many of his birthdays in recent years. Last year, he had announced not to celebrate the day in view of cyclone Titli. In 2017 too he had it low-key though on the day, Naveen had announced Rs 1,250-crore lift canal system for Bijepur and inaugurated a blood donation camp. In 2016, the BJD chief did not celebrate the occasion to mourn “sacrifices of martyrs who fought against terrorists (Pathankot Airforce station was attacked in January 2016). Naveen had cancelled birthday celebrations for cyclone Hud Hud in 2014, Phailin (2013), and flood (2011). In 2015, eleven students who were part of a rally to wish Naveen on his birthday were injured when a gas-filled balloon burst near his residence.