While we all know about Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s birthplace, Anand Bhawan in Cuttack, which has been turned into a museum; there is another Anand Bhawan adjacent to it that not many are aware of.
This rather neglected Anand Bhawan built by late George Patnaik houses Naveen Patnaik’s cousins, Dilip Patnaik and Rekha Patnaik. Dilip Patnaik is the son of George Patnaik, the elder brother of late Biju Patnaik.
The stark difference between the two Anand Bhawans is a testament to the alleged neglect George Patnaik’s children have been subjected to. On one side, the swanky renovated Anand Bhawan welcomes visitors to witness its historical significance, and on the other side, there is a dilapidated Anand Bhawan with cracked walls and roof that nobody visits.
Dilip Patnaik rues the fact that despite being the cousin of the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik has never done anything for him.
Speaking about Naveen Patnaik, Dilip said, “Though Biju Babu tried to keep in touch, I cannot say the same for his son. Naveen Patnaik never enquired about me. He did not even call me after I underwent two major surgeries. Naveen Babu does not care about his siblings.”
“I admit Naveen babu has done some development in Odisha if not many, but on the personal front, he never cared much for his brothers and sisters and never discusses anything with them,” he rued.
"He (Dilip) should be provided medical care as soon as possible including arrangements for his food and stay. Late George Patnaik had played a great role in the development of Cuttack city. My eyes well up by watching his children in such a situation” said a local Narayan Jena.
Dilip was born in 1947 in Cuttack. After completing his studies at Ravenshaw and Utkal University, he went on to work for a sponge iron plant. He has been retired for the last 20 years. He is unmarried and lives with his sister Rekha Patnaik.
Dilip was handicapped after meeting with an accident.