By Bizodisha Bureau, November 20, 2017: Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama on Monday praised Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik saying that the latter has won people’s trust and respect.

“Unlike the Zimbabwean leader (Robert) Mugabe, Patnaik is one of the longest serving CMs. He has won people’s trust and respect,” the 82-year-old Buddhist monk told reporters after his meeting with Patnaik here.

Dalai Lama who arrived in Odisha on Monday on a two-day tour met Naveen at his residence.

He also expressed his happiness over the well being of the Tibetan people, who have been staying here saying that they are very happy. The Nobel laureate said “Odisha has been very kind to Tibetans living at Chandragiri area of the State’s Gajapati district”.

Patnaik said, “I am happy over Dalai Lama’s praise; honoured that his Holiness Dalai Lama visited Odisha.”

Earlier in the day, Dalai Lama was welcomed by food supplies and consumer welfare minister SN Patro and scores of Tibetan people who assembled at the Biju Patnaik International Airport to seek the blessings of the spiritual leader.

The Tibetan leader will be honoured by with the prestigious Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Humanitarian Award for the year 2017 on Tuesday at a special function in KISS campus.

Dalail Lama is also scheduled to visit Chandragiri in Gajapati district.