For the first time in the history of Maharashtra Police, a Sahitya Sammelan was organised in Mumbai, on Monday. Through this event, the police tried to depict the artists in the men in uniform. Around 80 policemen, including senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, recited their poems and shayaris at the event.

Maharashtra's first Daksh Police Sahitya Sammelan is the brainchild of IPS officer Dr BG Shekhar.

According to Dr Shekhar, owing to their busy schedule and nature of the job, policemen often do not find the time or opportunity to nurture their passion. Dr Shekhar came up with the idea of an event wherein policemen from across the state, who are interested in writing, can come on one platform and present their work.

The idea was then presented to the Director General of Police Datta Padsalgikar, who welcomed the concept, and gave his nod to the proposed event.

The event began with a huge fanfare at YB Chavan Centre at 10 am and the occasion was graced by known Marathi poets such as Ashok Bagwe, Ashok Naigaonkar, and Padmashri Madhu Mangesh Karnik.

Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar also attended the event and was of the view that such a sammelan should be held every year.

"More than 80 policemen, who are also writers and poets, presented their work at the event. Around 400 policemen from across the state attended the event. We also had a ghazal programme. The response was really good and encouraging," said police Dr Rajendra Rathod, who anchored and organised the Sammelan.

IPS officers Qaisar Khalid and Krishna Prakash, who are posted at the DGP office in Colaba, recited their poems at the event.

Sneak Peek

• Through this event, the police tried to depict artists in the men in uniform 
• Around 80 cops, including senior IPS officers, recited their poems and shayaris at the event 
• The event started at 10am at YB Chavan Centre