We see in English films – a stout
cop stops a vehicle – ‘hands out’ punishment in style ….. immediately people
start quipping that such thing will not happen in India
You are heading back home on a city road
[or coming to office] … [be it any city.. it is most likely to be same]….. there
is flow of traffic – vehicles slow down – suddenly you see many vehicles
stranded before…. You spot one vehicle taking the wrong side and forge ahead
(you may or may not follow) but most others would do… now you are surrounded on
all sides…. Most who came behind you are now ahead on the wrong line – a minor
trouble – the bottleneck gets cleared – but there is terrible terrific jam because
of those who flouted the basic rule and drove on the wrong side – now in the
front – vehicles stand facing one another – those oncoming and going – both sides
vehicles on wrong lanes……..
Some good Samaritan – a Police
cop and perhaps some auto-wallah try to regulate the traffic – now perforce
those wrong-doers are allowed first – while those who followed lane discipline
wait [impatiently honking horns]…. Sad plight…. But think who is at fault…
Here every other person is above law… 2
wheelers [especially those driven by females] flash their way thinking that
there is no lane and there is no wrong side for them …… autos can appear,
jig-jag, make you nervous and disappear …. There will be Tata Sumos, Scorpios
and ……. Others – more dangerous if they have a party flag flying – a boyish
driver on wheel [speaking on mobile all the time] with another political
heavyweight sitting with a mobile on the front…. (more fearsome if you are spot
a group inside) – no signal,no one-way, no rule, no law; vehicles with stickers Press, Advocate
and more…. ……… somehow everyone appear mighty and above law…. if and when stopped everyone will try to use
their clout ….
Amidst these dusty scene, there are
police cops who swelter in hot Sun and in rain – hours together … having to
arrange way for VIP vehicles with some more escorting Politicians and other
heavy wigs. These cops have extended
working hours, heavy stress, little support, much little respect and are not exactly
well paid. People will talk of the Indian traffic police not coming
up the expectations of their duty but do we ever try and think why? And what ails them ?? Press can bloat that they are corrupt (may be
a small % of them are) and this post is not to justify their act but only to
say that they are discharging duty in extremely strenuous circumstances.
To succeed one needs the required
authority and tools of trade … many a times, you see traffic policemen
springing crudely infront of a speedy vehicle to stop….. sadly, the Nation’s crime
rate has been growingly rapidly in the past few years. It has surpassed the
rate of growth in the past decade, making India
The roads are pathetic being paved by
those who got through the lowest tender; increasing no. of vehicles and
increased no. of violators and traffic offenders…. The US and European Police looks and acts tough, their very
presence is a deterrent to many crimes – their patrol vehicles are
interconnected through wireless, they move about in teams and know how tackle
troublemakers.
Sure, we need to learn to
appreciate too….and this post in today’s The Hindu certainly needs to be read
by all of us. It is an article titled ‘Chennai
constable goes the extra mile, saves young man’s life’
It was around 4.30 p.m. on busy R.K.
Salai, a couple of months ago, when a car came to a screeching halt after
hitting the footpath. Curious passers-by who peered into the car saw a youth
unconscious behind the wheel, who did not respond to calls. G. Lokesh, a
traffic constable, who was on duty in the vicinity rushed to the spot and
joined the crowd tapping the car’s windows. Since the engine was on, the doors
could not be opened. A few minutes later, the youth responded by turning off
the engine but swooned again.
When attempts to make him drink some juice
and water failed, Lokesh realised the seriousness of the situation and
signalled a few autorickshaws to stop. “Since it was
peak hour the autorickshaws did not stop. I shifted the young man to the rear
seat of the car and drove straight to a private hospital and explained the
circumstances to doctors at the emergency ward. Though I was on traffic duty in
the VIP area, there was nothing on my mind then, other than saving the life of
the youth,” he said. The victim,
later identified as Amuthan Sundar, a business analyst from Anna Nagar, was
diagnosed with a seizure and put in the intensive care unit. After his family
came to the hospital, Mr. Lokesh handed over the car keys and left.
The incident ended there, with no one
hearing about it, until Mr. Sundar, who recovered fully a few weeks later,
wrote to commissioner of police S. George, thanking him and the constable. “I
am happy that the constable went an extra mile to save a youth in distress. A
circular highlighting the good work of Lokesh is being sent to all police
stations. We have given instructions to the police that every individual is
entitled to courtesy and consideration,” Mr. George said.
Hail
the good Samaritan Mr Lokesh….. and spare a moment for such innumerable police
cops
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
Article and photo courtesy The Hindu : http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-constable-goes-the-extra-mile-saves-young-mans-life/article5340208.ece
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