Preaching by example

He then excused himself and proceeded towards the station, since he was getting delayed. Kashyap, rather reluctantly talks about this episode “I just did my duty” he reiterates but when compelled to answer states, “I was almost reaching the Amir Hotel chowk when suddenly I saw a man falling off the scooter – some vehicle seemed to have hit him. Suddenly a crowd gathered. As my car reached the spot, I got down and went near the victim. He was conscious but was bleeding in the ear. Those gathered around tried to explain to me that it was minor. I told them “who are we to decide whether it is minor or major, let us rush him to the hospital immediately.”

Kashyap put him in an autorickshaw and asked one of his officers to accompany him and escort him to the Sassoon Hospital. Says Kashyap “I almost missed the train.” While travelling too he did not forget about the episode and kept in touch with the control room through his mobile. Once he was assured that the victim did not suffer major injuries, he was relieved.

This is not the first time that Kashyap has helped accident victims on Pune roads. Ever since he came here as the police commissioner, he has helped at least six victims. Which ones were they? Vaguely remembering, he mentions, “one was near the Yerawada bridge, another on Jungli Maharaj Road and one more near the Firodia Pul. Also there was one opposite Holiday Inn.”

Can he recollect any specific case? “Yes, a few months back, I was approaching Holiday Inn, to attend an official lunch. And then I saw this pedestrian being knocked off by a snazzy sports car. I sent my constables to chase him but in vain, the car just sped off. The pedestrian – a young man in his 30s, lay bleeding profusely. I put him in my car, which quite ruffled my subordinates. They could not digest the fact that blood should be strewn around in a police commissioner’s car. I asked one of my colleagues to rush him to the hospital and I walked the short distance to the hotel.”

You try complimenting him for this good samaritan gesture and snap comes the reply, “it is the job of anybody to help a person who is in need. And specially an accident victim, as even a few minutes delay could cost a life.” With the police commissioner himself leading the noble way, it sure is an inspiration for the citizens, who live in a city, where the rate of road accidents is quite high.