Ditched By Driver, Odisha Minster Cycles To Work

Bhubaneswar: Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi took everybody by surprise by cycling to work to Loka Sewa Bhawan here on Wednesday.

“I decided to come to office on a bicycle because my driver didn’t reach on time,” the minister said after reaching his office sharp at 11 am.

The ride has inspired the minister, who said, “Now I am determined to cycle all through the budget session in Assembly and also to Lok Sewa Bhawan except on rainy days.”

Panigrahi said he also wanted to send across a message to curb pollution and save fuel. “Cycling to work is environment friendly and healthy way of commuting. People travelling for shorter distances should opt for this practice as it could be a small contribution for the protection of environment, health fitness and austerity measures,” he said.

Incidentally, the distance between the minister’s residence near Unit-VI Hospital and Loka Sewa Bhawan is not more than 2 km, but his effort his drawn praise from many, including officials and staff at his ministry.