Ludhiana cops sing to inspire, spread message

Ludhiana: Singing has been their passion since childhood. But, unable to eke out a living off singing, they decided to join the police force. Sub-inspector Nirmal Singh Toor and constable Sandeep Singh of Ludhiana police are now using their art to bolster the morale of force and spread awareness about Covid-19.
SI Nirmal, 53, who is deputed at the residence of inspector general of police, Ludhiana range, Jaskaran Singh, has released four songs related to Covid-19, including two songs dedicated to ACP Anil Kohli, who succumbed to Covid-19, and Patiala ASI Harjeet Singh, whose hand was chopped off by curfew violators, and a poem dedicated to Jodhewal SHO SI Arshpreet Kaur Grewal, who defeated coronavirus.
Similarly, constable Sandeep Singh, 25, who is deputed as the gunman of deputy commissioner of police (headquarters) Dr Akhil Chaudhary, has recorded his first song, “Eh vi bacheya wale ne”, dedicating it to the cops of Punjab. Sandeep has a master’s degree in music.
Speaking to TOI, SI Nirmal of Manakwal, who has already recorded a few songs during his service with the police department, is also the lyricist of these songs. His song on ACP Anil Kohli, “Je disda hunda corona, tuhanu haran na dinde” (We would not allowed you to see the defeat, if we could see corona), is being appreciated by one and all.
He said, “I learnt singing for a few years, alongside my duties. I have written and sung songs on outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. But, my song on ASI Harjeet Singh ‘Main vi Harjeet Singh’ and the one dedicated to ACP Anil Kohli are being liked the most.” The cop, who is currently deputed at a check-post near Baddowal village, said his son Gurmehar Singh is also fond of music and edits his songs.
Constable Sandeep Singh, who hails from Rajpura, shared, “I have been into singing since childhood. I represented my school and colleges at different platforms in singing competitions and also took part in youth festivals. However, I knew that I won’t be able to earn a living from singing, so I decided to join the police force.
“In 2016, I joined Punjab Police as a constable, but singing stayed in my heart. I am deputed with DCP Dr Akhil Chaudhary, who knew that I am MA in music and fond of singing. During Covid-19, when police started adopting different ways to make people aware of the disease, DCP Sir asked me to sing a song for it, and I could not refuse. So, I approached my friends Gulam Ali, who is the lyricist of this song, and Ujjwal Soni, who has given music.”
Constable Sandeep’s song “Eh vi bacheya wale ne, eh vi tabran wale ne” (They too have children and family) is dedicated to all cops who leave their families back home to performing their duty with full dedication amid Covid-19 threat. The song says they too miss their families, but their duty is to save others, and that despite their sacrifices, they are judged and abused. The song will be uploaded on YouTube on May 13.
DCP (headquarters) Chaudhary said, “Sandeep had once said he has got a degree in music. The Ludhiana police are already trying different ways to make residents aware. So, I thought, we can release a song. Sandeep has good voice. In future too, we will use his talent for different projects.”