Life as a Police officer is the most stressful job, to say the least. They risk their lives every day to serve and protect. Each day starts with a thought that ‘what this day may bring'. Be it drug induced violence, a murder, a rape, a lost child or a homeless person looking for a place to shelter. Add to this, a staff crunch, drivers caught for over speed at midnight, and some of them slurring their words while vowing they aren't drunk.
Not all issues they face requires them to use force, police have to respond to disgruntled speeders, angry jaywalkers, and nosey neighbors. All these put a great stress on them which reflects on their social life too.
As an attempt to relieve this stress Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) department has devised a game plan.
Not all issues they face requires them to use force, police have to respond to disgruntled speeders, angry jaywalkers, and nosey neighbors. All these put a great stress on them which reflects on their social life too.
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This garden at the KSRP’s Madiwala campus is
only the beginning, they say. credit: Bangalore Mirror
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Cops who have handled guns and lathis will now have to spend time with Shovels, pruner and gardening scissors. The department has selected 60 volunteers from its battalions who are being trained in gardening and landscaping on their premises.
There are ornamental plants, fruit trees and even medicinal ones such as the Mexican Mint, the cops will be guided and trained to grow these in their premises, which, according to KSRP department, will act as a major stress-buster. The initiative is part of the activities that are being handed out to the 9,000-plus reserve personnel to ensure that they are kept ‘pleasantly' occupied when not on bandobast.
"The state horticulture department has come forward and is training our personnel in basic gardening and landscaping. Our campuses in all districts have vacant land which can be put to use. It will also serve as a pleasant way to keep them occupied," said Bhaskar Rao, Additional Director General of Police, KSRP told Bangalore Mirror.
The initiative as of now is being launched at KSRP campuses in 15 districts. Their vacant lands are now being utilized for this purpose. KR Lokesh, Head Constable, told Bangalore Mirror that the men were trained in re-potting, pruning, adding fertilizers, and other such activities, by the officials from the Horticulture Department.
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| Image only for representation. credits: twitter |
Apart from gardening, the police officers would also create rainwater recharging pits. Apart from being a stress-buster, this green initiative will create an awareness among public and corporates to initiative the same in their premises.
Rama Murugapandian, she is currently pursuing her PhD at the VIT University.
Rama Murugapandian, she is currently pursuing her PhD at the VIT University.
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