By Purushottam Nayak
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 22, 2018: Odisha Chief Minister Navin Patnaik joined a Christmas program in Bhubaneswar organized by the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar on December 21, 2018.
“This is the fourth time he is joining the programs organized by the Archdiocese of Cuttak-Bhubaneswar. Three times for Christmas and once to name a road after Mother Teresa,” said Benjamin Simon a Catholic leader, the Master of Ceremony on the December 21 program.
Patnaik, fourth times Odisha chief minister, attended the Christmas program at St. Vincent’s Pro-Cathedral in Bhubaneswar. Around 2,500 people, including members of state legislative assembly, officials and Christians attended the program.
“Thank you, A Merry Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year,” Patnaik wished the gathering in Odia language.
Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar in his welcome address said, “Our joy has not doubled but it has multiplied with your presence. Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will on earth.”
The Divine Word prelate thanked the chief minister for allotting 1-acre land for a burial ground in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha where some 20,000 Christians of various denominations live.
The participants also included Debashis Samantara, legislators from Barabati Cuttack, and Anand Kumar Jena, mayor, Bhubaneswar.