Gujarat Police to help its officers beat post-retirement blues

S S Khandwawala. It was observed that no one can realise travails of a retired life better than a retired man himself. And for such people,staying in touch with serving colleagues was vital for leading a robust life.

The police stations across the state have been asked to prepare a complete mailing list and telephone numbers of all the retired police officers of the rank of deputy superintendent of police and above living in their jurisdiction. The data will be used for keeping them abreast of the state sponsored events and inviting them to events like Republic Day parade. Local police stations will periodically call up these officers and ask if they needed any help.

Police stations have been asked to spare services of constables for helping these officers get medical treatment,appointments from hospitals and doctors to see that they do not have to wait in queues. This should go a long way to maintain their self-respect,which often becomes the first casualty after retirement.

Khandwawala said it was a goodwill gesture from the department and that response to this initiative was very good as “people were happy about it”. “Naturally,any retired person will feel good if he is approached and offered any help. We are thinking to extend it further to lower levels also,” he said.

Seeking anonymity,a retired officer,however,said the provision of helping retired members of the force was already there in the police manual. “It is a cosmetic measure and there is nothing new about it,” he added.