Constable Ashish Mishra, who is posted with the Inspector General’s Office in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is proud of his Khaki uniform. But, Ashish, 31, is also aware that he must go beyond the call of duty and do something for the society, especially because he wears the uniform every day. In 2017, he started Police Mitra — an initiative which ensures that those needing blood for a surgery or a medical procedure, don’t have to run around. Now, when the entire country is locked in, Ashish has decided to distribute food packets to the needy in slums. He shares his experiences with Gaon Connection.
People usually don’t trust police personnel that easily. Maybe this is why people find it hard to believe that we are actually there to help them. When we go out to deliver food packets to the needy in the slum areas of Prayagraj, they pass comment on us. They say that we are there to show off our bravery; that we would wear sunglasses and pretend to be Singham (a police character from a Bollywood film).
The other day, when I assured someone that I am from the police department and I would give him food packets, he couldn’t believe that I would show up again. I promised him that I would give him and his family food packets twice a day. Gradually, we have started gaining trust of the people. The poor in slums now wait for us in a hope that we would bring food for them.
We are not doing this to earn fame, we are doing this to save lives.
There are many NGOs and many people volunteered to distribute food packets to the needy and the abandoned. But we couldn’t allow them to step out of their homes during the lockdown. So, to make sure that their help reaches the poor, and the poor get food, we decided that we would take packets from the volunteers and deliver those to the needy. We keep food packets at a prominent circle and the needy pick those up from there.
This step was taken for a reason. Initially, when these volunteers started distributing food pockets, they would put up their banners, click pictures, and force children to smile when they distributed food to them. There have been instances when volunteers would record all this. It would make those collecting food packets tad uncomfortable.
Hence, we decided that we would take food from the volunteers and give them directly to the needy to ensure that no one sleeps hungry. Since we get enough lunch packets for the day, we also give some share to the stray animals on the road.
One day, an elderly woman requested me to provide her ration on a daily basis. I told her that she need not spend money on buying vegetables and ration, I would bring her hot cooked meal twice a day. She was happy, but apprehensive. From that day, I keep food packets near her home and she collects them from there.
But there are many who don’t accept food pockets from us. They feel we are giving them leftovers. So, sometimes, we sit with them and have lunch with them to reassure them that the lunch is worth eating.
Our work load has increased as compared to the regular days. Most of the people have been granted leaves, but we still have to report to duty. Just like how all mothers are always worried about the well-being of their children, my mother too calls me often and urges me to stay at home. We are vulnerable, but we can’t stay at home.
I get 25-30 calls daily from people who inform us about those who need help. We make sure that help reaches them … anyhow. Our office is able to help more than 500 people. We deliver food to every needy person who lives in the periphery of 15 kms.
This morning, (April 6), I received a call. A woman was sobbing. She told me that she didn’t have any ration or a gas cylinder. I thought of refilling her gas cylinder by spending money from my pocket. It would cost me Rs 400. But I promised her that I would get her dinner that evening. I am leaving from work. I will give her a food packet and then go home.
