Lead people with love, Patnaik tells legislators

The chief minister also maintained that power, wealth and position will "dissolve into nothingness" once leaders learn to serve people selflessly.

"You cannot lead people, unless you love them. Every politician should be able to adopt this philosophy as his guiding principle," he said.

The CM stressed that the the MLAs should carry out their responisbilties keeping in mind the best interests of the people of the state.

"If you love people, you do not see the post you hold as a post, but as a means to serve the people. You do not see power as power, but as a means to transform the lives of people," Patnaik told the gathering of lawmakers on the Assembly premises.

The CM exhorted the youth to join politics and make tangible contributions to the society.

"Young people with a mission can transform the society the way they want. They can be real change agents of our time," Patnaik said.

He also expressed hope that the legislator awards will encourage the MLAs to work with more dedication for the healthy growth of democracy.

"The MLAs are expected to discharge their responsibilities without any fear and favour and with due respect to parliamentary democracy," he added.

As many as 24 MLAs were conferred the Best Legislator Award in three different categories - Pandit Nilakantha Samman, Utkalmani Gopabandhu Samman and Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Samman  for the period 2009 to 2016.

The CM presented the awards along with Assembly Speaker PK Amat.