Rare gesture! Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik interacts with servitors in Odia

Bhubaneswar: Often criticized for his lack of knowledge in Odia, the five-time Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik invalidated the popular belief when he spoke to the servitors of the Lingaraj temple fluently during his visit here today.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo struck a conversation with the servitors of the famous 12^th century shrine in front of the temple during his visit to take stock of the plan and progress of the beautification of the Ekamrakshetra.

Naveen said: “Apana mane sahajog karichanti, bahut bahut dhanyabad. Bahut sundar mandir.” (Thank You for your cooperation).

Servitor: “Apananku dirghayu karantu Lingaraj ebang amey dekhuthau emiti apana sustha thiba paryanta Odisha ra rajyabhaar apana hi sambhaluthantu.” (May Lord Lingaraj give you long life and we want you to be healthy and at the helm of state affairs)

Naveen: “Dhanyabad.” (Thank You)

Servitor: “Aau Sir amara sebaka manankara aaieen ti kemiti heba setiki amara gotiye prasna.” (Sir, we have a concern about an Act for servitors)

Naveen: “Agyaan, kana kahuchanti? (What did you ask, Sir?)

Servitor: “Jagannath temple bhalia temple Act.” (A temple Act on lines of Jagannath Temple Act)

Naveen: “Karibi, Karibi… Pakka karibi.” (Will surely do it)

Servitor: “Bahut bhala kama heichi. Ama pila dinu Bhubaneswar re emiti kama dekhi nathilu. Apana mukhyamantri hela pare, biseshkari Old Town area re rasta ghata, pokhari, Bindu Sagar, park, light, cable line. Mote bhi agyan 78 barsa helani, mu bahut mantrimandal dekhichi kintu emiti kama hei nahi. Eta nirat satya.” (A lot of developmental works have been done after you becoming the chief minister, especially in Old Town area. We hadn’t seen it earlier. I am 78-year- old and have seen many governments. Exemplary work has been done in your tenure and it is the ultimate truth)

While speaking to reporters, Naveen said: “Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who have contributed land for the Lingaraj temple project. Secondly, I am very pleased to see how the work is progressing here. Soon, there will be a special Act for the Lingaraj mandir like we have for the Srimandir at Puri.”

Patnaik further said that the beautification in and around the Hindu shrine will draw a lot of pilgrims and tourists.

Among others, 5T Secretary VK Pandian, Bhubaneswar (Ekamra) MLA Ashok Panda, and Development Commissioner Suresh Chandra Mohapatra accompanied the CM during the visit.