Indian official swears off shoelaces

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BHOPAL, India, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- An Indian official accused of having a tribal boy tie his shoelaces said he will no longer wear shoes requiring laces.

Madhya Pradesh Cooperative Minister Gauri Shankar Bisen, who was sharply criticized by other politicians after the boy was seen tying his shoes in a televised incident, said he was unable to tie his own shoes at the Khamra function Friday due to a recent bypass surgery, the Press Trust of India reported Monday.

"I swear that from now onwards, I will not wear any shoes with laces. I have specially brought from Pune six pairs of shoes without laces," Bisen said Sunday.

The official said the teenager who tied his shoes was not a tribal boy, as his critics allege, but rather an 18-year-old son of a family friend, The Times of India reported.

"Rajeev and Rahul are the sons of Ravi Shankar, a close family friend. The boys came with me to attend the function in Chhindwara. I was sitting on the dais with my shoelaces untied. The boys noticed it and one of them rushed to me and tied the laces,'' Bisen said. "The boy knew that I have had a bypass surgery recently and another hernia operation. Doctors have advised me not to bend down too much."