Taking Pride in the National Anthem – a new way of curbing crime
The other day this news item caught our attention.
Strange though it may sound, and more like a reel life theme, a cop in a small town of Telangana, India, has created a small real life event that is repeated every morning.
One person can make a difference
A well-thought out idea or a brainwave of sorts, a Police Inspector in the town of Jammikunta, Karimnagar district, Telangana, decided that the National Anthem which had one unified action across all walks of life, could help in more ways than one. Knowing from observation that people come to a halt as a mark of respect for the Anthem and the Nation, he decided to put it to good use.
He reasoned ““It is not just about patriotism but also about knowing your national anthem. In my interactions with public over the years, I have found out that most of the people cannot recite the national anthem completely. I started this initiative to not only instill a sense of patriotism in the town but also instill some sense of responsibility for the country,’’
The Daily dose of Patriotism
When 16 loudspeakers strategically placed and networked to the police station in a 45000 strong town of Telangana play the National Anthem daily at 7.54 A.M. sharp, the people of the town as a mark of respect and patriotism come to a standstill irrespective of what they are doing. Road transport buses, autos, all forms of motor vehicles, children walking to school, people on the road, halt and wait till the song is played out, with some mouthing the song, others saluting also during that time.
The 52 second song written by Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Prize winner and poet Laureate, when sung wholeheartedly fills every Indian’s being with pride for his motherland and infuses a feeling of doing something worthwhile to show his respect.
Inspector Prashanth Reddy, the man behind this daily ritual, says he is also experimenting with the national anthem as a crime prevention measure. “I believe it can be a good crime prevention tool. If a person leaves home in the morning with the intention of committing a crime but on the way pauses for a minute while the national anthem is played, he would change his mind. His sense of responsibility towards the society would be awakened and he may resist from committing a crime. I think that horrific crimes like Nirbhaya rape which stigmatised the entire country can be prevented if we instill pride for country in people especially the youth,’’ he says.
Additionally, praise has been pouring in from all quarters for this wonderful initiative and steadfast implementation since August 16th 2017. “The national anthem is also called the morning song of India. Rather than singing it in the dark cinema theatres and halls, I would prefer to sing it out in the sun alongside people from all walks of life. People say they feel good after the national anthem,’’ Reddy says.
A good start, a promising take
Karimnagar Police Commssioner V B Kamalasan Reddy says the response is very encouraging. “Citizens voluntarily stop wherever they are, for the anthem. Even bus drivers stop and get down along with passengers. Many even salute also. It is all voluntary, there is no police intervention,’’ he says.
“By 7:55 am the national anthem is over, and as everyone usually starts work by 8 am, they are ready. School children show lot of enthusiasm,’’ Inspector Reddy says. Sometimes in the evening, Reddy also speaks through the loudspeakers, telling public how to be a responsible citizen and help in prevention of crime.
An idea that has appealed to the entire town and followed to the T in spirit, it is nothing short of patriotism that could be displayed in any heroic deed or fiery political speech, an indication that the entire town thinks as one.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tBhPSTJp1A "][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
If this idea caught on in other parts of the country and the unity in action were replicated in other facets of life too, India would easily get back its golden days or become the ‘Sone Ki Chidiya’ it once was.
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