The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Police to join the festival mood

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 05, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Police to join the festival mood

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: One does not expect the police to join the festival mood, especially in a city like Kochi, where every festival is a reason for shopping. The police will often have their hands full, monitoring the situation.

But in the age of community policing, things are different. So this year, the City Police will add to the festive mood by putting up a show of their own. And this will, if things work out according to plan, set a record of sorts.

Titled Janamaitri Onaharsham, the festival will create a new platform of interaction between the police and the public. One of the highlights of the festival will be the ‘pookkalam’ (floral carpet) contest being organised by the Police Residents Association Initiative in District Ernakulam (PRIDE).

Those behind the event are eyeing the Limca Book of World Records. The existing record is for 360 ‘pookkalams’. With more than 425 members registered under the Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council (EDRAAC), no wonder PRIDE officials are having high dreams about the event.

Limca officials have been contacted and EDRAAC has been asked to ensure maximum participation from its members. The police are also using their contacts to rope in more participants.

Another feature of Onaharsham will be the display of police uniforms. “This will be held at the walkway at Durbar Hall Grounds on Saturday and Sunday evening. This is being held as part of creating awareness among the public,” said City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham.

Police uniforms from pre-independence period to the present will be displayed. The concept is to depict the evolution of the police force, right from the time of kings. The public will have a chance to know the different uniforms used at present like those used for ceremonial functions, parades, by guards and riot squads and differences between the uniforms used by the traffic police and the tourism police.

The City Police will also arrange an exhibition of various equipment and services rendered by the police. There will be more than 50 stalls at the Durbar Hall Ground itself. These, along with events like traffic quiz for students and cultural show, will complete the police participation in this year’s Onam celebrations.

The theatre team of the City Police will present the play Onnanu Nammal, the successful street-corner play on community policing.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala