Dear Friends,
I hope all of you remember an article sent by Varun sometime back about the conversation he had with Chennai city cops. [ http://varun-dreamindia.blogspot.com/2007/11/conversation-with-traffic-policeman.html]
It is then, I along with my brother Hari, decided to join this CSR force as soon as I get back to motherland:-) More than anything, you require a lot of patience to join this. Let me tell you why:-)
First, one and half months ago, I called 103 to reach the control room and got the traffic police number. From there, I was directed to Adyar [ the place I live ] number. After talking to the cop in charge, we visited the Besant Nagar police station only to find the Inspector not at work. He asked us to come around 7 in the evening. Later, when we called, again we were asked to visit Adyar police station. It was really irritating, but we had more to come.
Now, as we reached the Adyar police station, we wrote a petition that we would like to join CSR force. The cop who got the petition told us that he would call us in one week within which he would collect the kit for us.:-) Now, this made me think the dream of standing on roads and helping cops manage the traffic would become a reality soon. But how can it happen here?:-)
Again, it took four to five calls over a period of three weeks to make them understand that we were really interested in being a part of this. Seeing that we would not relent, one day the cop who collected the petition called me and asked me to come and meet him in person. With complete sense of interest, I rushed the next day evening, only to find the cop handing me couple of application forms which they were supposed to give me the very first day :-))
The best part of it happened last weekend. On Saturday, I was surprised to hear that cops had called my brother and informed that they wanted to meet us. When my brother informed we would come in the evening to meet, they were like, "please give us your house address, we will come and meet you". Now, this was a real surprise for us.... Can u imagine cops coming to meet u for CSR??:-)
As soon as they reached our house, we got to know the reason for their "personal visit". They had an order from the ACP, that CSR's from all areas should be sent for the meeting at Commissioner office to be held in the evening failing which action would be taken against them. After getting the invitation from them [ I was forced to miss Srinivasan's class ], both of us we went to commissioner office and attended the meeting.
I made it clear to the ACP that "getting application forms" by itself is one such big task and none would be interested to join the CSR if this remains the case. He promised to make sure app forms would be made available soon at all local police stations. And one more thing, do not know the reason really, but almost all, say 95% people who had come for meeting were of age 60+. To be honest,most of them would need help themselves. The ACP has promised to revive CSR concept, let us hope for the best.
Now, read this article in "The Hindu" - http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/06/24/stories/2003062400340300.htm This would make u feel u are a part of CSR already :-)
Dun worry, will keep you entertained with more stories on this soon...:-)
Anbudan,
I hope all of you remember an article sent by Varun sometime back about the conversation he had with Chennai city cops. [ http://varun-dreamindia.blogspot.com/2007/11/conversation-with-traffic-policeman.html]
It is then, I along with my brother Hari, decided to join this CSR force as soon as I get back to motherland:-) More than anything, you require a lot of patience to join this. Let me tell you why:-)
First, one and half months ago, I called 103 to reach the control room and got the traffic police number. From there, I was directed to Adyar [ the place I live ] number. After talking to the cop in charge, we visited the Besant Nagar police station only to find the Inspector not at work. He asked us to come around 7 in the evening. Later, when we called, again we were asked to visit Adyar police station. It was really irritating, but we had more to come.
Now, as we reached the Adyar police station, we wrote a petition that we would like to join CSR force. The cop who got the petition told us that he would call us in one week within which he would collect the kit for us.:-) Now, this made me think the dream of standing on roads and helping cops manage the traffic would become a reality soon. But how can it happen here?:-)
Again, it took four to five calls over a period of three weeks to make them understand that we were really interested in being a part of this. Seeing that we would not relent, one day the cop who collected the petition called me and asked me to come and meet him in person. With complete sense of interest, I rushed the next day evening, only to find the cop handing me couple of application forms which they were supposed to give me the very first day :-))
The best part of it happened last weekend. On Saturday, I was surprised to hear that cops had called my brother and informed that they wanted to meet us. When my brother informed we would come in the evening to meet, they were like, "please give us your house address, we will come and meet you". Now, this was a real surprise for us.... Can u imagine cops coming to meet u for CSR??:-)
As soon as they reached our house, we got to know the reason for their "personal visit". They had an order from the ACP, that CSR's from all areas should be sent for the meeting at Commissioner office to be held in the evening failing which action would be taken against them. After getting the invitation from them [ I was forced to miss Srinivasan's class ], both of us we went to commissioner office and attended the meeting.
I made it clear to the ACP that "getting application forms" by itself is one such big task and none would be interested to join the CSR if this remains the case. He promised to make sure app forms would be made available soon at all local police stations. And one more thing, do not know the reason really, but almost all, say 95% people who had come for meeting were of age 60+. To be honest,most of them would need help themselves. The ACP has promised to revive CSR concept, let us hope for the best.
Now, read this article in "The Hindu" - http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/06/24/stories/2003062400340300.htm This would make u feel u are a part of CSR already :-)
Dun worry, will keep you entertained with more stories on this soon...:-)
Anbudan,
Natarajan
DreamIndia
PS: Between, finally we got the Rs.103 kit from commissioner office :-)
PS: Between, finally we got the Rs.103 kit from commissioner office :-)
Well, that mail was full of jest wasn't it? I assure you that Natarajan has masked his frustration quite well here. Having lived in Chennai for more than two decades, I know well the effects of the searing heat and how draining it is to run from pillar to post in that climate. These two (Nata and his brother, Hari) are guys with a never-say-give-up attitude when it comes to doing something for the society. We need more people to join them, there are about a 1000 of them in th city right now, but we need a bigger army if we are to see traffic discipline being followed. And the latter will definitely lead to lesser traffic accidents and safer roads.
So I urge you, my dear reader, to spread this message to people you know, and encourage them to participate in such drives. And of course, do not forget that you yourself can don the hat of a traffic policeman...It only takes the will to do so, and Rs 103!
