Kerala cops turn to RK Laxman's Common Man for facelift

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Multiple recommendations relating to police reforms have contained one major suggestion: Giving a human touch, which also includes making police stations attractive and people-friendly.
Now, this has kick-started a process at the police headquarters itself, where the first-floor walls of the heritage building-which houses the offices of the state police chief and other senior officers-have been made livelier with the cartoons of famous cartoonist RK Laxman, most of which have appeared in the Times of India on various occasions.
Interestingly, most of them not only relate to the police, but are critical of the force. "The idea is to make the headquarters a stress-free place. We have now displayed the 'Common Man' cartoons by Laxman along the corridor of the office building. We are also planning to install more such works by famous cartoonists like Shankar and Abu Abraham," said state police chief Loknath Behera.
The cartoons were selected from a coffee-table book picked up by IG (headquarters) Dinendra Kashyap from Daryaganj in Delhi, which is famous for its book stores. Selected cartoons were enlarged and framed on the walls. "Most visitors have appreciated and enjoyed these cartoons," said Kashyap.
Police are also planning to get some cartoons with the basic theme being the force itself, including critical ones. A three-dimensional collage using old and decommissioned arms and ammunitions is another upcoming attraction at the headquarters. The idea is to shed the image of a grim, 'Sarkari' place that brings about an air of negativity in the mind of people.
Recently, a parking shed - used by senior officer to park their vehicles - was demolished from the front portion of the headquarters as it was an eyesore at the heritage building, to make way for more greenery on the premises. The heritage building has also been lighted up with eye-pleasing colour lights (blue and violet) at night.
Last year, a 27m-long painting was also unveiled on the exterior walls of the new headquarters building, that digitally depicts various wings of police, including women police, dog squad, commandoes, traffic police etc.