A meeting with the former Commissioner of Police in Mumbai and the Director-General of Home Guards happens normally in one of the two situations; one your actions have landed you behind bars or two, you have done something extremely noble and credible. Hopefully I will never be in the first situation and let’s agree the latter is not a commonly occurring trait in the life of a simple teenage girl like me.
People say, you can tell a wise man when you see one but you can tell a man of experience only when you talk to one. Mr. Rakesh Maria is an example fit for both. I consider myself beyond lucky to get an opportunity to have a small conversation with such an accomplished man, to say the least.
Rakesh Maria, the top cop in Mumbai is not only a strong, self-restrained and decisive man of honor but also a very coherent and eloquent speaker. I had the privilege of meeting with him at the 75th birthday celebration of my maternal grandfather who in his own way has been a friend and support for Mr. Maria.
I only truly realized the grueling lifestyle of a man serving his country through the speech given by Mr. Maria – the hardships, the criticisms, the setbacks, and the strenuousness of this profession are incessant yet impactful.
I could not have imagined that a man of his stature would ever have to face flak. His influential yet very humble personality ought to welcome several accolades for him. I was moved to see how Mr. Maria acknowledged the simple yet selfless and rock solid advice given by my grandfather to stand by your principles and morals in thick or thin.
A life of service and duty is an incredibly honorable yet arduous life but then again it is an opportunity to make a difference. It’s not like the common man doing a regular job has an easy life either but it is the man standing guard on the roads, investigating unending crime who risks his life to save ours, it is he who puts his neck on the line for his nation and its people.
Service towards mankind and above all an undying sense of patriotism are some of the few things that describe Mr. Maria. His line of profession is more painful and exasperating than not and yet he is a happy, satisfied man for he knows that he is not sitting on the sidelines watching and commenting on the acts of horror that we hear of daily.
He is the instrument of change, change that we so desperately need in our society and social fabric.
This stands true for every man today, if you want a change, be the change. The police force of our country is working relentlessly to bring that change we all so carelessly talk about. Mr. Maria and all respected men and women in uniform are truly inspirational. He proved to me today that love and service for your country is not an uncommon trait and that nationalism did not end with the end of the British dominion in India.
This is to Mr. Rakesh Maria,
Thank you Sir for your kind words, I cannot describe the gravity of the impact your words have had on an unmolded mind like mine.
Ashna Agarwal
07-May-2017
Everything a reader wants 