“I admit it was my mistake and I am sorry for it,” he told reporters after the incident hit the media spotlight. “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,” he said.

Bisen found himself in a tight spot after he was caught by TV cameras getting his shoelaces tied by a boy at a public function at Khamra, in the presence of Union Minister for Urban Development Kamal Nath, two days ago.

The minister claimed that following his bypass surgery, doctors had advised him not to bend forward, after which he employed this student — Chhotu — to take care of his personal needs. He said when the boy saw that the minister was finding it difficult to tie his shoelaces, he came to his help.

While the media reports said 18-year-old Shubham (Chhotu) is a tribal, Bisen claims he is not.