Naveen Patnaik is the current Chief Minister of Odisha and is considered one of the key veteran leaders in the country. Born on October 16, 1946, in Cuttack, Odisha, Patnaik is the son of the legendary Biju Patnaik, a former Chief Minister of Odisha. Patnaik's experience as the Chief Minister of Odisha spans over two decades, making him one of the longest-serving Chief Ministers in India's political history. He has been serving as CM for 22 years. Since assuming office in 2000, Patnaik has led the state through various challenges and has implemented numerous initiatives to foster development, welfare, and inclusive growth. Patnaik's early life was marked by his international experiences and his dedication to public service. He studied at Welham Boys' School in Dehradun, Lawrence School in Sanawar, and The Doon School. He later attended the prestigious Kirori Mal College in Delhi, where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Naveen Patnaik's entry into politics was a result of tragic circumstances. Following the death of his father in 1997, he was thrust into the political arena and took over the reins of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party, which his father had founded. In the subsequent years, Patnaik's leadership skills and political acumen became evident as he successfully steered the BJD to victory in the 2000 Odisha state elections, leading to his appointment as the Chief Minister of the state. One of the notable achievements of Patnaik's tenure has been his effective disaster management strategies. Odisha is prone to natural disasters, particularly cyclones, and Patnaik's administration has been widely acclaimed for its proactive approach and efficient handling of crises such as Phailin in 2013 and Fani in 2019, have received widespread acclaim and have been recognized as model examples of disaster management. Moreover, Schemes like the Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (housing scheme), the Madhubabu Pension Yojana (pension scheme), and the Ama Gaon Ama Bikash (village development program) have been received well by the people and it helped Patnaik cement his position among the masses.