“Do you expect this from any Indian politician?”: Norwegian mayor spotted travelling across India in an auto-rickshaw; video viral
A Norwegian mayor travelling across India in an auto-rickshaw has caught the attention of social media users, with many praising his willingness to explore the country in a three-wheeler rather than a conventional car. Jo Inge Hesjevik, mayor of Porsanger Municipality in Norway’s Finnmark county, is taking part in the Rickshaw Run India, a road adventure that has taken him from Jaisalmer in Rajasthan towards Fort Kochi in Kerala. Hesjevik was spotted in Limbdi, Gujarat, travelling in a colourful auto-rickshaw with his companion, Øyvind Hesjevik. A video shared by a local resident shows the man introducing the Norwegian politician and expressing surprise at finding a mayor travelling around India in a tuk-tuk. The video has since drawn reactions from viewers, many of whom described the mayor as “so down to earth”. Others used the occasion to compare his travel style with the vehicles and security often associated with Indian politicians.
From Jaisalmer to Fort Kochi in a three-wheeler
Hesjevik and his companion began their journey in Jaisalmer on September 26, with Fort Kochi in Kerala as their destination. The planned trip covers approximately 4,300 km and is part of the Rickshaw Run India, an adventure that involves travelling across the country in an auto-rickshaw. In a Facebook post on September 26, Hesjevik announced the start of the journey. “We are now ready to depart from Jaisalmer. The next 14 days will be spent in a tuktuk traversing India,” he wrote. Two days later, he shared an update on the distance covered so far. “We are on the road in India, driving our own rickshaw. So far we have covered 1,400 kilometres and have 2,900 kilometres to go,” he wrote on September 28.The journey has involved more than simply covering long distances. The pair have also been dealing with the wear and tear of travelling in a three-wheeler across different parts of the country. In an update dated October 6, Hesjevik said they had safely passed Goa, but their vehicle had taken a few knocks along the way. “We’ve safely passed Goa. One mirror less, some loose parts and some new dents,” he wrote.
“So down to earth”: Video from Gujarat goes viral
The video that brought Hesjevik wider attention was recorded by a local man who met him in Limbdi, Gujarat. In the clip, the man explains that he discovered Hesjevik was a mayor after looking up his profile online. He appears surprised that a Norwegian politician is travelling through India in an auto-rickshaw.Introducing him to viewers, the man says that he met someone from Norway who is the mayor of Porsanger Municipality in Finnmark county. “He is so down to Earth. He is travelling India in a tuk-tuk,” he says. Hesjevik smiles as the man speaks about him. The clip also identifies the politician by name, prompting viewers to look up his profile and learn more about the journe. The mayor is travelling with Øyvind Hesjevik as part of the Rickshaw Run India adventure, scheduled to run from September 26 to October 9.
“Do you expect this from any Indian politician?”
The video prompted a range of reactions, with several viewers praising the mayor for travelling without the trappings they associate with political office. One user wrote, “Happiest country for a reason.” Another commented, “This is a real hero, no attitude.” A viewer took a more light-hearted view of the trip, writing, “Probably his biggest flex of life afterwards. Chill guys, everyone has a bucket list.” Others turned the conversation towards Indian politicians and their choice of transport. “Do you expect this from any Indian politician?” one person asked. Another wrote, “We Indians never thought of doing it.” Some comments were more pointed in their criticism of the vehicles used by politicians in India. “Humara desh ke Mayor 55 Innova me ghoomte hain,” one user wrote, referring to the large convoy of Toyota Innovas often associated with Indian politicians. “Damn is this real? Our corrupt politicians would arrive in 12 suvs,” another viewer wrote.
