The Hindu : Plan to open Police Boys Clubs in more areas

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 16, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Plan to open Police Boys Clubs in more areas

By Sangeeth Kurian

CHENNAI, MARCH 15. Encouraged by "enthusiastic response" from children living in slums, the city police propose to open Police Boys Clubs in more areas.

"With the first phase of enrolment successfully over, we are now focussing on how to extend services to more areas. A decision will be taken at an advisory committee meeting on child helpline to be held on March 27," says R. Natraj, Commissioner of Police, who heads the clubs in the city.

The clubs are essentially a group of character-building cells providing guidance to the youth from slums and economically-weaker sections. Started in 1956, they remained defunct until they were revived in September last. Today, there are 81 clubs in the city, 25 of which are supported by the Government and the rest by voluntary organisations and philanthropists. Each club has around 100 members, with the inspector of the respective station as its patron. The aim of the clubs is to guide children inthe age group 12-18 who lack parental attention and care. The activities span areas such as recreation, vocational training and education for dropouts.

"Adolescence is a very sensitive age when children can take to deviant behaviour, if not guided properly. The idea of the Police Boys Club is to channel their energies for creative and useful purposes," says Mr. Natraj.

Says Magesh Devarajan, a national carrom player and member of the Chindatripet club: "The guidance and support I received from this place have shaped my career significantly. Now, I want to promote other young talents through the club." If games such as carrom and chess are the highlights of the Chindatripet club, the emphasis is more on computer training and toy-making at Muthialpet. Weekly interaction with film and academic personalities is the attraction at the Ice House club. "Preference will be given to juvenile delinquents and children of ex-convicts who have the potential to become hardened criminals, if not reformed," says Sylendra Babu, Joint Commissioner, North. There is also periodic interaction with top police officials wherein children are taken for film and circus shows, besides excursions.

"People living in slums are often afraid of interacting with the police on a personal level. The police are looked upon as intruders. But when they see the officials mingling with their children, the relationship becomes smooth. It also helps the police become more sensitive to human rights," says Mr. Natraj.

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