JAJPUR,: Former MLA and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Pranab Prakash Das, popularly known as Bobby Das, said a rakhi is not merely a sacred thread but a symbol of the love, trust and affection¹ shared between brothers and sisters.
A large number of women from different parts of Jajpur gathered at Das’s residence in Jajpur on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan to tie rakhis on his wrist.
Expressing gratitude for the affection shown by the women, Das said, “I bow my head before your love and affection.” He said public service was the fundamental principle of politics and not merely a slogan.
Das said he had never been driven by a desire for office or power since entering politics and had always found satisfaction in working for people and party workers. He also highlighted the importance of staying connected with people and understanding their problems irrespective of political circumstances.
Referring to his involvement in relief efforts during floods in Jajpur, Das said he had stood with affected families when the Baitarani river overflowed following heavy rains. Thousands of people in two blocks of the Jajpur Assembly constituency were affected by the floods.
During the crisis, Das personally visited affected areas and joined local residents in efforts to strengthen vulnerable embankments with sandbags. He also helped facilitate the distribution of cooked food, flattened rice, jaggery, tarpaulins and medicines among flood-affected families.
He was seen wading through waist-deep water to meet affected residents, listen to their grievances and offer support. His supporters said such efforts reflected his continued commitment to public service beyond electoral politics.
Das has continued his public outreach even after the BJD lost power in Odisha on June 4, 2024. His supporters maintain that his relationship with the people of Jajpur goes beyond electoral politics, describing him as a trusted figure who continues to remain accessible to residents in times of both joy and distress.
On Raksha Bandhan, Das reiterated his commitment to the people of Jajpur and said he would continue to stand by them as a member of their extended family.