Vikash Sharma

Bhubaneswar: Ever wondered about the lifestyle of a politician and that too of a Union Minister? Luxury and opulence are some things which many may associate with the men in power. But there is a politician in Odisha who recently shot to limelight for his simplicity. Yes, we are talking about Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi who has been inducted in the Modi Sarkar 2.0 as a Minister of State.

The moment Sarangi reached his home town at Gopinathpur yesterday after the gala swearing-in ceremony and taking charge as a Union Minister, he was seen getting back to his old routine which many term as the lifestyle of a ‘Fakir’.

It was indeed a unique and humble gesture when Sarangi went to his ‘guru’ and sought his blessings by touching his feet.

Many people, not only in his village but in other parts of Odisha believed that Sarangi, popularly called as ‘Nilagiri’s Nana’ would now give up his simple lifestyle and start a life just like any other politician.

Proving them wrong again, Sarangi went to his village pond for a bath and then swept the premises of nearby Shiva temple. This has been how a day begins for this humble politician from Odisha who trounced a crorepati candidate of ruling-BJD in the recently concluded elections.

“I have been getting calls and praises for my simple lifestyle. But comparing me with Modi is what hurts me,” said Sarangi.

“He (Pratap Sarangi) slept without having his food as people did not leave him till late night yesterday,” said Bilasini Panda, Sarangi’s sister.
Here in Odisha Secretariat, some unusual activities of newly-elected ministers have also drawn attention of many.

Ministers Ranendra Pratap Swain and Padmanav Behera performed special pujas in their respective offices before starting their work.
“Like others, I also performed a puja and installed a statue of Lord Buddha in my chamber,” said Swain.

scrollToTop