When Sorabh Pant visited our college for Revels this year, there were two things that bugged him. In the university town that was Manipal, unlike the majority of college folk in the country, the students had absolutely no beef with the two people of power their peers in other colleges usually hated. The folk here at Manipal...
1 - LOVED their Director. (shout out to G.K. Prabhu)
2 - ADMIRED the District SP.
How!!??? He must have shouted to himself in that annoying Dr. Kholkar voice. Thank God, he doesn't do that anymore... Don't know what I'm talking about? Go watch old episodes of Pogo TV's F.A.Q. I digress, let me come back on track.
Annamalai IPS. A name that brought smiles of admiration on the faces of the young and old alike. A strict policeman, an able civil servant and a wonderful human being to all those who knew him. When the Manipal air still carried the wails of the unfortunate girl who had fallen prey to the shameless fetish of 3 men under influence late in the night, Annamalai took charge of the district as the Superintendent of Police on the 1st of January, 2016. From then till now, in a span of barely a year and a half, reforms and restraints of magnitudes never seen before brought the much needed end to the ‘taken-for-granted’ attitude of the university town’s youth.
‘Udupi’s Singham’ as he was aptly and affectionately called, Annamalai, an IPS officer of the 2011 batch was posted as the ASP of Karkala Subdivision in late 2013. Observing the trend of people taking advantage of the situation in Manipal; students and locals alike causing problems by violating others’ privacy Annamalai took matters into his own hands when the reigns were his to handle.
A strict, no-nonsense officer who was quick to bring order out of the chaos that was Manipal, he was applauded by the public for his innovative and unique methods to reach out to people and spread awareness. Besides being brilliant through his crime detection skills, his part in the curbing of illegal matka, murder, theft and prostitution were quick to turn eyebrows toward him. The public soon took notice of this young and dynamic SP who soon with his ideas like the Suraksha mobile app, WhatsApp complaints against rash drivers, short movies to promote road safety, visits to various schools and colleges in and around the district won everyone’s hearts over.
A city like Manipal which has a cosmopolitan environment surrounding it are prone to night visitors who might resort to crime. Regulating loud music, putting a leash on drunk drivers, and making sure night travelers have the right documents with them. These were some guidelines, the police made sure everyone stuck to. Contrary to what many people opine, Manipal has not been made a ‘target’ by the police as exemplified by the fact that a lot of problems plaguing the rural areas have also been apty handled by the police forces under Annamalai. Decrease in illegal sale of liquor and communal violence among the few positive changes that are seen across the district.
Also an enthusiastic philanthropist, athlete, supporter of the Clean India campaign and kite enthusiast, Annamalai has taken part in all social, cultural and regional activities, supporting talented youngsters and encouraging sports and arts. Sad as it may be, it is now time for the Lion to move to another jungle and with a heavy heart we must bid you adieu, sir. You will live in our hearts forever.
2 - ADMIRED the District SP.
How!!??? He must have shouted to himself in that annoying Dr. Kholkar voice. Thank God, he doesn't do that anymore... Don't know what I'm talking about? Go watch old episodes of Pogo TV's F.A.Q. I digress, let me come back on track.
Annamalai IPS. A name that brought smiles of admiration on the faces of the young and old alike. A strict policeman, an able civil servant and a wonderful human being to all those who knew him. When the Manipal air still carried the wails of the unfortunate girl who had fallen prey to the shameless fetish of 3 men under influence late in the night, Annamalai took charge of the district as the Superintendent of Police on the 1st of January, 2016. From then till now, in a span of barely a year and a half, reforms and restraints of magnitudes never seen before brought the much needed end to the ‘taken-for-granted’ attitude of the university town’s youth.
‘Udupi’s Singham’ as he was aptly and affectionately called, Annamalai, an IPS officer of the 2011 batch was posted as the ASP of Karkala Subdivision in late 2013. Observing the trend of people taking advantage of the situation in Manipal; students and locals alike causing problems by violating others’ privacy Annamalai took matters into his own hands when the reigns were his to handle.
A strict, no-nonsense officer who was quick to bring order out of the chaos that was Manipal, he was applauded by the public for his innovative and unique methods to reach out to people and spread awareness. Besides being brilliant through his crime detection skills, his part in the curbing of illegal matka, murder, theft and prostitution were quick to turn eyebrows toward him. The public soon took notice of this young and dynamic SP who soon with his ideas like the Suraksha mobile app, WhatsApp complaints against rash drivers, short movies to promote road safety, visits to various schools and colleges in and around the district won everyone’s hearts over.
A city like Manipal which has a cosmopolitan environment surrounding it are prone to night visitors who might resort to crime. Regulating loud music, putting a leash on drunk drivers, and making sure night travelers have the right documents with them. These were some guidelines, the police made sure everyone stuck to. Contrary to what many people opine, Manipal has not been made a ‘target’ by the police as exemplified by the fact that a lot of problems plaguing the rural areas have also been apty handled by the police forces under Annamalai. Decrease in illegal sale of liquor and communal violence among the few positive changes that are seen across the district.
Also an enthusiastic philanthropist, athlete, supporter of the Clean India campaign and kite enthusiast, Annamalai has taken part in all social, cultural and regional activities, supporting talented youngsters and encouraging sports and arts. Sad as it may be, it is now time for the Lion to move to another jungle and with a heavy heart we must bid you adieu, sir. You will live in our hearts forever.