Cyclone Titli Impact: Naveen decides to keep birthday celebrations sombre

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday declared not to celebrate his 73rd birthday expressing solidarity with people who are affected by Cyclone Titli and the subsequent floods in some parts of the State.

Besides, the Chief Minister's Office has issued a directive asking ministers, MLAs and bureaucrats not to throng Naveen Niwas to celebrate his birthday. Usually well-wishers visit Naveen Niwas every year to greet the CM on his birthday.

It is pertinent to mention that Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada districts were badly affected due to Cyclone Titli, heavy rains, and the subsequent floods.

Earlier when Hudhud and Phailin had struck the State in 2014 and 2013 respectively, the CM had stayed away from celebrating his birthday.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have greeted the CM on his birthday.

Best wishes to Odisha CM Shri Naveen Patnaik Ji on his birthday. Naveen Ji is one of India’s senior-most leaders who has been serving the people of Odisha for many years. May he lead a long and healthy life. @Naveen_Odisha

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 16, 2018

ଓଡିଶାର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ ନବୀନ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକଙ୍କୁ @Naveen_Odisha ଜନ୍ମ ଦିନର ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭକାମନା ସହ ଦୀର୍ଘ ଓ ନିରାମୟ ଜୀବନ କାମନା କରୁଛି।

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) October 16, 2018

Senior leader and former MP Baijayant Panda also took to Twitter and conveyed warm wishes to the CM.

I wish @Naveen_Odisha a v.happy birthday
I deeply appreciate post cyclone work of Indian forces/ODRAF
& AGAIN offer helicopters at no cost to augment that, as in earlier years.
45 reported dead. Families of the missing wd surely want any additional search/rescue/relief efforts?? https://t.co/tli9Qinkby

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) October 16, 2018

Sand animator Sudarsan Pattnaik also wished the CM through a sand art at Puri sea beach.

Sand animator @sudarsansand wishes CM Naveen Patnaik on his 73rd birthday through sand art at Puri beach #Odisha pic.twitter.com/QS4aDjy5Sy

— OTV (@otvnews) October 16, 2018