Now Reading: Odisha IPS officer massages feet of tired Kanwariyas, wins praise
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Odisha IPS officer massages feet of tired Kanwariyas, wins praise
A video of IPS officer Archita Mittal, sub-divisional police officer in Jeypore, Odisha, massaging the feet of exhausted Bol Bom devotees has gone viral. The officer was deployed along the pilgrimage route…
The Story in Brief
A video of IPS officer Archita Mittal, sub-divisional police officer in Jeypore, Odisha, massaging the feet of exhausted Bol Bom devotees has gone viral. The officer was deployed along the pilgrimage route to Gupteswar shrine when she approached tired Kanwariyas and offered to soothe their feet while still in uniform. Times Now Navbharat reports the gesture has drawn widespread public admiration.
Police personnel are routinely posted on such routes for security. Mittal went beyond her brief by personally tending to devotees suffering from fatigue after long walks. Many social media users praised the act as a blend of authority and empathy, calling it a reminder that uniform can symbolise humanity.
The Indian Opinion
Most coverage of this incident will frame it as a simple feel-good story about a compassionate officer. But the real story is the systematic neglect of basic amenities on the Kanwar route, forcing devotees to walk for hours without rest points or medical aid. One officer's kindness does not fix the lack of benches, water booths, or paramedics. The question to ask: will the Odisha government release the exact budget spent on pilgrimage infrastructure for 2026?
Source: timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
