By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, January 22, 2018: Tens of thousands of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers thronged the airport here to welcome Odisha chief minister, Naveen Patnaik on Monday who returned after receiving the ‘Ideal Chief Minister’ award at Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad in Pune.

Speaking to a huge gathering at a special function organised by the party on the airport premises, Patnaik said, “I dedicate this award to the people of Odisha. Let’s work together towards making Odisha the number one state.”

He was later escorted in a grand procession to Naveen Nivas, his residence, amid thousands of BJD workers and supporters.

Receiving the award, which singles out the most ground-breaking and high-impact work done by chief ministers in their respective states, in a special event organised by Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Governance, Patnaik said: “It is a great honour for us to be conferred with this award as it is the voice of the youth of India.”

“Odisha’s transformation is a work in progress and I am joined in this mission by the 4.5 crore people who make Odisha. We will continue our journey as we continue to grow, together,” he added.