SAD-RAKSHANAY KHALA-NIGRAHANAY

Two days back, in a TV programme which is basically a singing competition, a special episode was telecast. It was a tribute to all those who fought on 26/11 last year. Well, 26/11 is all over the media these days as it should be. I don't intend to go into all the latest conspiracies that are pouring in. Instead, I'll take this opportunity to write on something else.
The programme I mentioned had some 'MUMBAI POLICE' officers as special guests. They talked about a few things. Some were related to the details of 26/11. But there was also something else. While saying some things, they had tears in their eyes. Contrary to the image of policemen that is framed otherwise, isn't it? In this image, a police man is a corrupt person, always irritated and thus arrogant, with no real will to work. But that's not the entire picture.
Police Officers are one of the most overstressed people. If we take a look at their working hours(both on duty and otherwise), we may be able to infer that. How much sleep we get on an average a day? Six hours, minimum? This figure reduces down to four hours, sometimes even three hours, in case of policemen. At times, they don't get to sleep at all in a 48-hour span. With lack of man-force as compared to what there should be, they have additional work most often. Bound to be a little more irritated than what we think they should be, aren't they? Still, many manage to be very patient with the common man and try to hear them out. It is sometimes we who fail to understand them. It is we who don't co-operate with them
We sometimes tend to think that every policeman we come across is bound to be corrupt, which is not true. Yes there is a lot of 'chai-pani' involved here and there. I'm not trying to justify it. But if a thought is given as to why such things happen, we may see a different side of it. Considering the time they spend on duty and enormous responsibilty they carry on their shoulders, they get paid a little less(if not very less). An IT professional(no offense) gets paid thrice or four times of what the policeman gets. It is this policeman, because of whom an IT proffessional and every civilian as a matter of fact is able to live a relaxed, happy family life. (Family life-another thing a common policeman misses out bigtime). It is him, because of whom we are able to celebrate all the festivals throughout the year without any tension, while this policeman is engeaged here and there for our security so that we have great festivities.
Yes, there are Police Officials who create conspiracies, who fail to realize their duties, who act for their own good rather than that of a common man. But then one should never expect a stock of 100% ideal, perfect items. Imperfections are bound to be there. But as my friend Sanket says, we should look beyond these imperfections and try to realize what a policeman means to a common man. And it is at such times like 26/11, we get to see truly what most of these policemen are made of. They may not have the best weapons, they may not have the best of the technological back-up. But it is their courage, their bravado that differentiates them. We should always remember that we owe them a lot. Thus co-operate with them any time we come across such situation, be it an investigation of stealth or even a 'naka-bandi'. Even if we can't do anything directly for them, the least we can do is not letting die a person inside us who feels for them, who identifies with them. Even if it is the motto of 'Maharashtra Police Seva', it can be applied to every individual who fights for this country. Be it the police, army, navy, air-force, NSG........"SAD-RAKSHANAY KHALA-NIGRAHANAY"--"For protection of the good, For destruction of the evil"...This is what they give their life for...Salute to all these brave men...