Acting swiftly after coming across the report of a Russain taking alms at a Kancheepuram temple (after his ATM card stopped working), Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passed instructions to the concerned officials to ensure that the Russian got the desired help.

In India as a tourist, Evangeline was going around Tamil Nadu visiting temples and other places of tourist interest.  He went around Mahabalipuram and later left for the Kumarakottam Temple of Lord Muruga. When he attempted to take money from a few ATMs, he met with no response as it was told by the Centres that his card had been blocked back home by the bankers for some reason.

As he was left with no money, Evangeline sat outside the Kumarakottam Temple and begged for money from the devotees. On getting information that a foreigner was begging for alms at the temple, the Sivakanchi Police rushed to the spot and enquired Evangeline who told him that he was fored to take alms after he ran out of cash as the ATM card with him wasn’t working at ATM centres.

The police later sponsored his trip back to Chennai. On getting information about this, Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj instructed the officials concerned to help Evangeline return home safely. She later tweeted on her Twitter account saying “Your country Russia is our time-tested friend; my officials in Chennai will provide you all the help!”