Russian in Puri found begging near temple

Puri (Odisha): A tourist from Russia who was found begging playing a Khanjani, a percussion musical instrument, in front of Singha Dwara (entrance point) of Lord Jagannath temple here, has been rescued.

The tourist, identified as Andrei Glagolev (53), calls himself Radhe Gobinda, reports said on Monday.

According to officials of the Puri district administration, Andrei was rescued on Sunday and rehabilitated in a shelter home in the city. The tourist hesitates to go back to his country and wants to stay in India with refugee status.

Sources said Andrei has applied for refugee status at the UNHCR in New Delhi. He has appointment with the UNHCR for meeting on January 8, 2018.

Andrei hails from Bavly area in Russia. He claimed that he was forced flee the country in 2015. When asked about his unwillingness to return his own country, Andrei said that his family drove him out of the home after he started worshipping Lord Shiva in Russia.