Haryana Man’s 14-Year Barefoot Vow Ends with PM’s Gift of Shoes

A daily wage laborer from Haryana, Rampal Kashyap, ended a 14-year vow of walking barefoot when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gifted him a pair of grey sneakers. The emotional encounter took place on the sidelines of a public event in Yamunanagar.

Kashyap, a 54-year-old father of three from Kheri Gulam Ali village in Kaithal, pledged in 2011 not to wear shoes until Modi became prime minister and he could meet him in person. The vow stemmed from his belief that Modi’s leadership would transform the nation, despite skepticism from local Congress supporters who doubted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would gain power. “Initially, it was tough to walk barefoot, but it became a habit.

During their meeting, Modi handed Kashyap the sneakers and gently advised him against making such vows in the future, saying, “I’m putting shoes on your feet today, but don’t do this again.” A brief video shared by the Prime Minister’s Office captured Modi asking Kashyap why he endured such hardship, to which Kashyap replied he was prepared to remain barefoot for life if needed.

Kashyap’s determination caught the attention of BJP leaders, including Ashok Gurjar, Kulwant Ram Bazigar, MP Naveen Jindal, and MP Rekha Sharma, who informed the Prime Minister’s Office and arranged the meeting. The event coincided with Modi’s visit to Yamunanagar to lay the foundation stone for an 800 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power unit at the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram thermal power plant.

Upon returning home, Kashyap was warmly welcomed by villagers with garlands, marking the fulfillment of his long-held promise.Kashyap, who studied up to class five, works in agricultural fields and construction sites to support his family.