In my childhood the
Super Heroes like Superman, Spider Man and Indian versions like Super Commando
Dhruva, Nagraj, Doga etc fascinated me and I dearly wished to be one of them,
like every child of my age. I longed to do extra ordinary stuff - flying
like superman, stop a running train with my bare hands, pin the bad guys at top
of the tallest tower of the city. I wanted to be the real hero of the city.
As I grew up with the
time I realized super hero action could be the peculiar fantasy of a child, but
it was not a realistic aim. I used to think about doing something extra
ordinary to grab the attention of people that would elevate me to the status of
a hero overnight.
But my misapprehension
about becoming a caped crusader, a lone hero performing extra ordinary work etc
quickly disappeared with the recent episode of the episode of a young IPS
officer Swapan Sharma (Assistant Police Commissioner of Traffic, Ludhiana) who
had become a real life hero of my city. The young officer was extremely
fair and square and devoted to his duty and vision.
He initiated tow-away
drive in the city to punish reckless drivers who used to create problems by
parking their cars carelessly anywhere on the road. Though the tow-away drive
was criticized by some, it was hugely appreciated by the masses. His initiative
made Ludhiana a safer place to drive in. He busted gangs who roamed fearlessly
and executed misdeeds by using political connections and by flashing money as
bribes to stop any legal actions.
Swapan Sharma took a
strong stand, and made these offences count. Initiating a drive against assembled
and illegal three-wheelers, a major headache for the city, was another feather
in his cap.
What Sharma did, was
not one bit 'extra ordinary' - but part of his role as an honest policeman
which he performed to perfection. He became a hero, and the city folk were
jubilant that someone was finally enforcing the law. People viewed his actions
as extra ordinary. Rarely do bureaucrats (or govt. officials in any rank)
perform their actual duties and take any initiative, or if they do, they
quickly give up before the will of corrupt politicians higher up in the food
chain.
It is determination of
the young IPS and commitment towards his duty that he became a real life hero
for the city in days. In September people were shocked as his transfer orders
landed in the city police headquarters. The news has evoked a response in
the residents of this city who love and admire Swapan Sharma for his conduct
and courage. The official pages of Ludhiana police and Ludhiana traffic police
on facebook were flooded with messages of people that want him to remain in the
city to carry out his good work.
Fortunately Mr.
Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister was in the city on that particular day.
Several delegations of city denizens pleaded before the CM for a rethink on the
decision of transferring the young officer. The CM graciously nodded and
immediately cancelled the transfer orders.
Well, news of his
transfer had also pinched me a little. I wanted him to remain and to continue
reforming the dilapidated condition of traffic control, to improve conditions
for everyone who lives and commutes in Ludhiana.
As far my memory goes,
in my 12 years of journalism I have rarely filed any news item personally
appreciating the good conduct of a cop, but being a regular critic I do
appreciate good work when I see it. In September 2012, I wrote an article in
the local pages of The Hindustan Times about his ‘ordinary’ extra ordinary work
and gave him a moniker ‘the tow-away man’. Long may this superhero 'tow away
man' continue to tow away the negative and corrupt elements of policing in my
city, and may I have many more opportunities to salute his courage, good sense,
and honest integrity.
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