Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik was conferred with a lifetime achievement award by the Capital Foundation Society (CFS), a prestigious voluntary organisation in India that has provided a platform for policy dialogue and debate on issues of national and international importance, on Sunday in New Delhi.

Former Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana presented him the award in the presence of Justice A.K. Patnaik. The award was conferred on Naveen in recognition of his distinctive and outstanding leadership qualities.The board of governors of the Capital Foundation Society comprises the Supreme Court judges, ministers, senior civil servants, political leaders representing different parties and interests, academics, defence and police chiefs, jurists, social workers, etc.

Accepting the award, Naveen said: “I dedicate this award to the 4.5 crore people of Odisha who have been continuously blessing me to serve them for the past 22 years. The faith they have in me is the biggest inspiration to work towards an empowered Odisha. Odisha has come a long way in the past 22 years. After the super cyclone of 1999 who would have thought that Odisha will set global benchmarks in disaster management and get awarded by the United Nations.“While I humbly accept this Lifetime Achievement Award, my lifetime’s achievement will be to see an Empowered and Spirited Odisha claiming her place in the Sun.”

In his speech, Naveen pointed out how Odisha known for ‘poverty’ is now known for the fastest ‘poverty reduction’ state in the country.

“Our governance model rooted in the empowerment of women Mission Sakti is something which we are truly proud of,” Naveen said, adding that empowerment of tribal communities has always been close to his heart.Naveen said how his government was working for the welfare of the farmers, slum dwellers, Industrial growth, supplying life saving oxygen to 17 states during the Covid pandemic, and providing 80 per cent people with a universal health assurance scheme.

Naveen also pointed out Odisha is emerging as the sports capital of India. “Skilled in Odisha is a brand which not just Odisha but the country is proud of,” he said.