Knock knock at the door, 86-year-old Mrs Khanna opens the door. With bouquet in hand, it's the beat constable at the door. "Happy Birthday ma'am! says the cop with a smile on his face. This is a part of new 'goodwill' policing by the Delhi Police where the cops greet the senior citizens of their areas with a bouquet on their birthday.
R S Vohra has retired from CISF as an Assistant Commandant. On his birthday, wishes poured in from friends and family members. Suddenly the door bell rang and as Vohra opened the door, he was surprised to see a police constable in uniform with a beautiful bouquet in his hand. It was Constable Ajay from Kalkaji who was there to wish him Happy Birthday.
"It is so good to have birthday greetings from unexpected quarters. It is a very pleasant feeling. Delhi Police are serving at the doorsteps. I was so happy to receive the flowers from the constable that I can't even describe it in words," said Vohra appreciating the police initiative.
The cops are maintaining the data of the number of senior citizens in their area so that enough security measures can be taken. Cops visit them often to check the security measures. They also have a record of their birth dates and accordingly, they are visiting the elderly to wish them on the pleasant occasion of their birthday.
Constable Ajay is one of the few trustworthy faces known to 86-year-old Chand Khanna. Her husband died some time back and when Ajay visits her to greet her with a birthday bouquet, she is overwhelmed. "It is such a nice feeling. This is a kind gesture shown by the police. I am too happy to receive a bouquet from the beat officer," said Khanna. Ajay is often approached by the neighbours of Khanna who say that they too wish to grow old early so that their senior citizen cards could be made as they too want to be pampered by the cops. "Its a small step to change the misconception that police are only a crime solving agency. In fact, it's a service oriented and service delivery agency. Senior citizens living alone in Delhi are a vulnerable section both physically and emotionally. It is our duty to keep them safe," said Romil Baniya, DCP (South-east).