Puri: Yesterday’s Puri Rath Yatra saw an unexpected and touching moment that has everyone talking. While it wasn’t part of the religious ceremonies, it has sparked a lot of discussion across Odisha. The surprising event happened when Ex-Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik bowed to the President from below the stage. As he was leaving, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, following the President's request, came down and guided Naveen up to the stage. This scene moved many people, both those present and the millions watching on TV.
Naveen Patnaik, who usually sits on the main stage, chose to bow from below this time. This act, showing him as a regular devotee, earned him a lot of praise from the public. People appreciated how he mingled with the crowd on the Grand Road, without any show of pride from his 24 years of governance or any hint of arrogance.
With just a few security guards, Naveen joined the crowd for the Rath Yatra, seeking blessings like everyone else. The temple servitors welcomed him with a sacred cloth. Naveen touched the chariot, walked with the devotees, and greeted them warmly. As he neared the stage, where the President, Governor, and other officials were seated, he didn’t take the staircase. Instead, he bowed from below, paying his respects to the President who was sitting above. Everyone on the stage, including the President, stood up and bowed back to Naveen.
As Naveen was about to leave, the President signalled to Dharmendra Pradhan to call him up. Dharmendra quickly went down, spoke to Naveen, and brought him up to the stage. While we don’t know exactly what they discussed, it seemed like Naveen was hesitant to climb up initially.
After Dharmendra’s request, Naveen finally came up on the stage. He greeted the President and seemed ready to leave, but the President invited him to sit next to the Governor. Naveen then sat down and also launched the ‘Utkal Prasang’ and ‘Odisha Review’ publications, which were prepared by the Information and Public Relations Department.
This simple yet meaningful gesture of Naveen bowing from below the stage has gone viral on social media and is being talked about across the country. Earlier, Naveen had also gained attention by attending Mohan Majhi’s swearing-in ceremony, showing his humility. Now, his act of walking among the crowd during the Rath Yatra has become the talk of Odisha. Everyone is applauding Naveen for his humility and down-to-earth behaviour.