|
This is the police training school and there is a group receiving and
responding to commands. But wait, there is something wrong. They are
not standing, stiff and smart, as is usual on parade. Indeed, they are
squatting on the ground and the commands they receive seem to have
nothing to do with usual police training. Actually, they are a unit
from Chennai's Traffic Police and they are on the last day of training
under a programme which teaches them the 'Art of Living'.
Designed by the renowned
spiritual master, Pundit Ravishankar, Art of Living techniques help
the practitioner rid himself of anger and stress, helping achieve a
happy and tension-free life style. The art is being practised in 92
countries and its techniques have been tested and proved effective by
organisations like the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro
Sciences (NIMHANS). "What we teach them is mainly pranayama, the
ancient Indian breathing technique," explained Harish, as he
wound up the policemen's training with a summary of all they had
learned in the six-day course and advice on how to continue the
practices they had been taught. He said policemen were subject to
great stress, not only because of the tensions and noise of the city's
chaotic traffic but also because of the heavy atmospheric pollution.
The programme had helped them greatly.
 On the first day, the
trainees were indifferent and did not pay much attention, Sekhar,
another instructor, said. But a change was noticeable in three days,
especially after Sudarshana Kriya, a rhythmic breathing exercise, was
taught. The programme was first tried out during 1991-95 among
policemen in Bangalore, where the training promoted an attitudinal
change in their approach to work and life. On the basis of this
experience, the Chennai police agreed to arrange a trial programme
and, convinced by the feedback, decided to extend it to all traffic
police units in Chennai. Two batches of 50 participants, including
inspectors, sub-inspectors and constables, have completed the course.
At the city's traffic
police headquarters, Joint Commissioner Shakeel Akhter, who
distributed certificates to the trainees, appeared happy at the
smiling faces and new enthusiasm among his men. Policemen had to work
under gruelling conditions, threatening their physical and mental
health, he said. This programme would help them build immunity against
pollution and to stay cool both during and after work. The chances of
top officials also being brought under the 'Art of Living' was very
much on, he said. The training programme, which has been taught for
the past 20 years, has been offered to the police forces free of cost.
 Arumugam Pillai, a
Triplicane traffic constable, regretted that they had been ignorant
about the programme all these years. "Really, it has opened our
eyes and made us realise the adverse effects of anger and
tension," others concurred. Some said they had given up smoking
and excessive tea drinking. "I am able to sleep well and start my
work fresh in the morning. In fact, getting up early in the morning
used to be a problem, but not any more," said S. Senroy of the
Mambalam police station, who was in the first batch of trainees. He
also said he was now more disposed to help others. It would seem that
Chennai citizens can look forward to more equable and more
service-minded police personnel at the city's jammed road junctions in
days to come.
L. Subramani
More articles
|
