If you’ve been following websites that keep alive memories of the sacrifices made by Indian defence personnel, you’d probably remember how Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Constable Thankappan Mohan, member of 35 Bn, Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka, laid down his life on October 15, 1987, while protecting his brothers-in-arms. He was awarded the Vir Chakra posthumously. 

In 2001, when terrorists attacked the Parliament building in New Delhi, CRPF constable Kamlesh Kumari was the first to raise an alarm. She took 11 bullets and was killed by the terrorists. Her colleague, Subedar Major Yam Bahadur Thapa was shot at too, but he still took aim and ensured the terrorists did not have their way for which he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra.

Over the decades since its inception in 1939 as the Crown Representative Police, one of the country’s oldest Central paramilitary forces has had its share of heroes, more than 2,000 of whom laid down their lives, and thousands of others who lived to tell the tale of defending the nation.

Neelesh Misra has the kind of voice that takes you straight to where a story unfolds. If you live in Mumbai and have heard his radio show Yaadon Ka Idiot Box, you will know how the hustle bustle of the metropolis slows down. His voice also sends chills down your spine as he narrates spooky stories via audio books!

Now, Misra is set to tell you the stories of CRPF bravehearts through The Slow App, developed by Slow Content Pvt. Ltd (SCPL), which encourages people to pause and savour each living moment. The app is to be launched soon.

During the launch of the initiative and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the CRPF and SCPL’s Yamini Misra in Lucknow on January 29, Subedar Major Yam Bahadur Thapa was also honoured in person. An audio of Neelesh Misra reading out the story of Constable Thankappan Mohan was played.

During the event Dr AP Maheshwari, director general, CRPF, said the CRPF was the most decorated police force in the country with 2,112 gallantry medals. “In the selfless service of the nation, the force has also sacrificed 2,224 bravehearts,” he said. Each of their stories carries lessons of empathy, sacrifice, humanity and courage. 

“We are happy that with our association with Neelesh Misra, not just our valiant bravehearts, but the stories of their ever-supporting families would also be rightly told to the world,” Maheshwari said.

Misra said that as a content creator, he felt it was his “responsibility to give voice to unheard stories. CRPF jawans have always come to people’s rescue across the country. Every story of their gallantry is inspiring and should reach the maximum people”. 

The history of CRPF is replete with sagas of bravery. And, they will be brought alive on Slow Content Pvt. Ltd, which has been creating video and audio content that urges you to live and not merely exist. Slow’s audio storytelling, celebrity interviews (The Slow Interview and The Slow Café), showcasing budding talent (Mic) and an extensive range of customised video content for individual client requirements, tempt you to do just that.

The CRPF channel on the app includes storytelling by Misra and other artistes mentored by him, who will narrate the stories of bravery, sacrifices and triumph of CRPF officers and jawans, as well as video and audio content ranging from long form video films to podcasts, all on The Slow App, both on Android and iPhone.

The Slow App aims to produce and promote wholesome entertainment for people of different age groups and provide opportunities to budding artistes.

Besides these stories, CRPF officers, jawans, and veterans serving the community, will also showcase their talents on the app in video, audio and text formats. 

Also Read: The ones who go to war against disasters — Faceless heroes of NDRF