Odisha pharmacist suspended for clicking selfies with President’s chopper

A pharmacist had to pay dearly for clicking selfies with the chopper of the President of India. He has been suspended. 

The suspended pharmacist has been identified as Jaswant Behera. 

During her three-day Odisha visit, President Droupadi Murmu visited Similipal National Park on Friday. The Indian Air Force’s chopper carrying the first citizen of India landed at the helipad in Joshipur. From there, she went to the national park by road.

Back at the helipad, seizing the opportunity, Behera, who was on duty near the chopper, clicked some selfies with it. As it was not enough, he shared the photos on his Facebook too. 

With the photos going viral, it was seen as a serious lapse in the security of the President. Taking it seriously, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Mayurbhanj, Rupabhanu Mishra suspended Behera. 

The selfie issue surfaced amid a controversy over the power outage during the President’s address at MSCB University at Baripada. Many see it as a major lapse in the security arrangement for the First Citizen of India. 

The President was at MSCB University to attend the 12th convocation on Saturday. While addressing, a sudden power failure plunged the entire auditorium into darkness. Though security personnel immediately took the position, many retired police officers opined that the President should have been whisked away to a safer place during the blackout.