Maharaja Gopinath, a descendant of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati (the first Prime Minister of Odisha) was taken ill last August. I never thought I would perform chhera pahara on the chariots at the Paralakhemundi rath yatra, but it was the people's wish and my family's duty to do seva of Lord Jagannath. My great grandfather Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati always saw Lord Jagannath in people's hearts and I also feel the same. Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati was himself a visionary person. Though I can never be a visionary like Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, I will definitely work to the best of my abilities to do some development works for the people.

Source: The Telegraph July 02, 2017 21:56 UTC