Naveen, national leaders relish traditional Pakhala in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Amidst huge political discourse over ruling BJD’s action against its party leaders on disciplinary ground, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik along with national leaders was found relishing typical traditional Odia food Pakhala just hours before the book launching ceremony of ‘The Tall Man Biju Patnaik’ here today.

Patnaik had lunch with former President of India Pranab Mukherjee, BJP’s veteran LK Advani, former Prime Minister of India HD Deve Gowda and CPM leader Sitaram Yechury at his residence Naveen Niwas. He also interacted with the national dignitaries over the traditional Odia food — ‘Pakhala’, ‘Piaja Peetha’, ‘Saga Badi’, ‘Drumstick fry’ and ‘Chenna poda’ — served to them on the banana leaves in the lunch.

Taking to Twitter, Patnaik wrote: “It was great pleasure to have enlightened company of Shri @CitiznMukherjee, Shri HD Deve Gowda, Shri LK Advani & Shri @SitaramYechury at Naveen Niwas. Had wonderful interaction over our much loved #Pakhala & Odia delicacies #PiajaPeetha #SagaBadi #Drumstickfry & famed #Chhenapoda.”