PERSONAL INFORMATION
Nickname: Pappu
Profession: Indian politician and Author
Known for: Being the longest serving Chief Minister of Odisha
Date of Birth: 16 October 1946 (Wednesday)
Age (as of 2024): 78 Years
Birthplace: Cuttack, Odisha
Zodiac sign: Libra
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Religion: Hinduism
Caste: Karana
Food Habit: Non-Vegetarian
Age: 78 Years
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EDUCATION
School: • Welham Boy’s School, Dehradun • Doon School, Dehradun
College/University: Kirori Mal College, New Delhi
Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Arts
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): 5′ 10″ (178 cm)
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: White
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Unmarried
Children: None
Parents: Father – Late Biju Patnaik (Politician) Mother – Late Gyan Patnaik (Pilot)
Siblings: Brother – Prem Patnaik (Elder; Businessman) Sister – Geeta Mehta (ELder; Writer)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Awards, Honours, Achievements: • The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) appreciated Naveen Patnaik for backing 33 percent women in the Parliament and Assembly in 2013 • He won the Best Administrator of the Country Award at the Outlook Speakout Awards by the former President Pranab Mukherjee in 2017 • Received the Ideal Chief Minister Award in 2018 by the former President Pratibha Patil • In 2018, he was honoured with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) President’s award for promoting hockey in Odisha • He was extremely praised for the smooth execution of his Mission Zero Casualty before and after the Cyclone Phalin, and The United Nations even felicitated him for this. Odhisa became the first Southeast state in Asia to be honoured for Disaster Management by the UN
MONEY FACTOR
Car Collection: Ambassador (1980 Model)
Assets/Properties (as of 2019): Movable Assets: ₹17.75 lacs Cash: ₹25,000 Bank Deposits: ₹14.23 lacs Jewellery: Gold, Rubies, and Diamonds worth ₹2.12 lacs Immovable Assets: ₹63.10 crores Residential Buildings in Faridabad, New Delhi, and Bhubaneshwar worth ₹63.10crores
Salary (as the Chief Minister of Odisha): Rs. 98,000 + Other Allowances (per month)
Net Worth (as of 2019): Rs. 63.86 crores
OTHER INFORMATION
Political Party: • Janata Dal (1997-1998) • Biju Janata Dal (BJD) (1998-Present)
Political Journey: • Joined the Janata Dal in 1997 • Elected to the Lok Sabha from the Aska Constituency, Odisha • Appointed as the Union Minister of Mines in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government from 19 March 1998 to 5 March 2000 • Formed the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) after the Janata Dal split in 1998 • Became the Chief Minister of Odisha on 5 March 2000 • From 2000 to 2014, he was reelected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly repeatedly and also served as the Chief Minister throughout. • In May 2019, he again took the oath as the Chief Minister of Odisha. • Lost the 2024 assembly election to Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Laxman Bag from the Kantabanji seat – the first electoral defeat in his career • On 5 June 2024, he resigned as the Chief Minister of Odisha.
Address: Naveen Nivas, Aerodrome Road, Khurda District, Bhubaneswar
Hobbies: • Writing • Reading
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Naveen Patnaik, a prominent figure in Indian politics, holds the record as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Odisha. His political journey commenced in earnest in 1998 when he founded the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), a party named in honor of his father, the esteemed former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. Although his foray into politics was catalyzed by his father’s passing in 1997, Naveen had already cultivated a rich intellectual life, having received his education from some of India’s most prestigious institutions. Before stepping into the political arena, he made his mark as a writer, authoring four books between 1985 and 1993, including two collaborations with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the former First Lady of the United States, whom he met during her visit to India in 1983.
Naveen’s diverse interests extended beyond literature; he was also an avid traveler. His journeys took him around India and across the globe, enriching his experiences and perspectives. In a surprising twist, during a trip with friends, his passion for books and cinema led him to a small role in the 1988 film “The Deceivers,” starring Pierce Brosnan. His entrepreneurial spirit shone through as well when he co-founded an apparel boutique named Psychedelhi at the Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi. This venture enabled him to forge friendships with iconic figures such as Mick Jagger and members of The Beatles, adding a vibrant layer to his multifaceted life.
Following his entry into politics, Naveen won a seat in the Lok Sabha in his first electoral attempt, representing his father’s constituency after receiving the green light from his siblings. Quickly rising through the ranks, he was appointed Union Minister of Mines in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. However, the political landscape shifted when the Janata Dal split in 1998, prompting Naveen to establish the BJD. His leadership qualities became apparent when he contested the legislative assembly elections in Odisha in 2000, forming a successful alliance with the BJP and initiating his tenure as Chief Minister.
During his initial term, Naveen Patnaik made a name for himself as a staunch opponent of corruption, taking decisive action against officials involved in malfeasance. His administration’s zero-tolerance policy resonated with the public, significantly bolstering his popularity and reputation for integrity. However, political dynamics shifted again in 2009 when the BJD severed its ties with the BJP over disagreements during seat-sharing negotiations. Despite this, Naveen’s party secured a majority in the assembly elections that same year, marking his return for a third term as Chief Minister.
An intriguing aspect of Naveen’s personal life is his reluctance to embrace modern technology; he did not own a mobile phone until late 2015, which contributed to a delayed entry into the realm of social media. Moreover, he stands out as the only Chief Minister in India who does not speak the local language of his state, drawing criticism from political opponents despite his fluency in English, Hindi, and French. Despite these challenges, Naveen’s leadership continued to shine, as evidenced by his party’s majority win in the 2014 elections, leading to his fourth term in office. His exemplary governance earned him the title of Best Administrator of the Country, awarded by former President Pranab Mukherjee in 2017. The BJD’s electoral victory in 2019 solidified his legacy further, as Naveen Patnaik began his fifth consecutive term as the Chief Minister of Odisha, reaffirming his position as a central figure in the state’s political landscape.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.