Odisha CM has won people’s trust, respect: Dalai Lama

Bhubaneswar: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has won people's trust and respect and has been one of the longest serving chief ministers which makes him admirable, said Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama today.

The 82-year-old Buddhist monk who arrived in Odisha on Monday on a two-day tour met Naveen at his residence.

"Unlike the Zimbabwean leader (Robert) Mugabe, Patnaik is one of the longest serving CMs. He has won people's trust and respect," the Dalai Lama told reporters in CM's admiration after the meeting.

Stating that the Tibetan people, who have been staying here, are very happy, the Nobel laureate said Odisha has been very kind to Tibetans living at Chandragiri area of the State's Gajapati district.

"I am happy over Dalai Lama's praise; honoured that his Holiness Dalai Lama visited Odisha," said Patnaik.

Earlier in the day, Dalai Lama was welcomed by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister SN Patro along with a large number of Tibetan people who assembled at the Biju Patnaik International Airport to seek the blessings of the spiritual leader.

Meanwhile, the Tibetan leader will be honoured by a private university here tomorrow and is also likely to visit Chandragiri in Gajapati district.

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