Sushma Swaraj assures help to Russian youth forced to seek alms

Chennai: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj assured help to a Russian national after he was forced to seek alms at the entrance of Sri Kumarakottam Temple in Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu after his ATM PIN got locked.

“Evangelin – Your country Russia is our time tested friend. My officials in Chennai will provide you all help,” Swaraj said on Twitter.

Upon his arrival in India on September 24, Evangelin had gone to visit Kancheepuram from Chennai and a few temples there.

During his stay in Kancheepuram, he went to an ATM kiosk to withdraw money but his ATM card’s PIN got locked.

Evangelin sat outside the temple and beg for alms using his cap.

Though the devotees spared money for him, they were surprised at the sight of a foreigner seeking alms and alerted the police.

The police said they gave him some money and advised him to go to Chennai and contact Russian Consulate officials for help.