Naveen Nivas, the residence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 16: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who turned 66 today, did not celebrate his birthday .

There were no flowers, cakes, champagne or even chocolate to satisfy his sweet tooth cravings. The usual hustle and bustle at Naveen Nivas, the chief minister’s residence, was missing.

The guards at the house said the chief minister had no visitors this morning. “Let alone ministers, even IAS officers did not come calling.

“Some people came with bouquets, but we sent them away,” said one of the guards, adding that they were given instructions to not let anyone in.

The only gift to have been received at the gate was a flower bouquet without a name card. “This was delivered by a courier. We don’t know who sent it. In any case, it was not allowed to go in,” said the guard.

The scene was a far cry from the flurry of activity witnessed on the chief minister’s birthday, not only in Naveen Nivas but also at his office.

However, this time round it was different because Naveen himself had asked party leaders and well wishers not to celebrate the occasion, which followed devastating floods in the state that claimed more than 40 lives.

Sources said most ministers and ruling Biju Janata Dal MLAs, who used to visit Naveen with bouquets and cake on his birthday, today contented with wishing him over phone. Some did not even have the courage to make a call.

A senior minister who did not wish to be named, said he decided against calling the chief minister as his instructions not to celebrate the day and wish him today were categorical.

“This is one of those rare occasions when he has issued official instructions in this regard. How can we disregard his wish,” he said.

People, including shopkeepers living around Naveen Nivas, were equally disappointed by the chief minister’s decision not to celebrate his birthday.

Paan shop owner Sheshadev Behera said: “Every year, on this day, we used to see hundreds of people thronging the house with bouquets and gift-wrapped packets in their hands.

“There used to be rows of VIP vehicles flashing red lights outside Naveen Nivas. Today the place looks forlorn.”