Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today described king of erstwhile princely State of Khallikote, Raja Bahadur Ramchandra Mardaraj Deo as a proud Odia and a dedicated social worker.
Speaking as the chief guest at a function held at Jayadev Bhawan here to commemorate the 121st birth anniversary of the erstwhile king jointly organized by I&PR Department and Pujya Puja Sahitya Sansad, Patnaik said that Deo was an illustrious personality who could win respect and love of the people by successfully handling his responsibilities both as a monarch and a democrat.
“His contribution for the development of Ganjam and Odisha is equally important as his contribution for the formation of Utkal as a separate province. He will live forever in the heart of the people as a proud Odia and a dedicated social worker,” said Patnaik.
“His working style, ideals, commitment and dedication for Odisha will remain as inspiration for all of us,” he added paying his tributes to Deo.
Speaker of Odisha Assembly Surya Narayan Patro was the guest of honour at the function.
Apart from throwing light on the role of Khallikote royal family in carving of separate State of Odisha, Patro described Deo as “Bikas Purusha”.
Among others Forest & Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha, I&PR Minister Raghunandan Das, Kabisurya Nagar MLA Latika Pradhan and Khallikote MLA Suryamani Baidya paid rich tributes to Deo for his contribution.