INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
ANI |
Updated: Jan 12, 2020 06:51 IST
Baripada (Odisha) [India], Jan 12 (ANI): A traffic police officer in Baripada town of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha is
popularly known as 'Birdman' in the area, owing to his habit of feeding a large number of pigeons and other birds in the city every day for
the last 10 years.Suraj Kumar Raj, 52, who works as a traffic police officer under Baripada town Police Station, feeds these birds at
several places across the town."Just like my job as a traffic police officer, I have also taken up the job of feeding these birds
I feel happy when they come to me and eat off my hands
I love them as they love me
Sometimes they even come and sit on my shoulders when I am on duty," Raj told ANI.He said that these birds can identify him from the
crowd.Thousands of pigeons appear to be waiting for him every morning and rush towards him even before he has had the chance to take the
food out to feed them."I feel better when I feed these animals
I also feed other animals like cows
They rush towards me as soon as they see me coming on my bike," Raj said.Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Avimanyu Nayak said that
the locals call him "birdman" and we feel proud of his service."He has been feeding these birds for the past several years
We are really proud of him
He is very sincere about his work," Nayak said
