MEERUT: The dog, ‘Rakesh’, who found a mention in Prime Minister’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’, breathed its last and was buried with full honours by Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) on Tuesday. The PM had praised the force for taking care of the canine in his programme. Named Rakesh after the tea stall owner who kept it briefly, he died young at five, due to infection in liver and kidney.
Aziz-ur-Rehman Khan, head constable, motor and transport, Police Lines, said, “A tea stall owner Rakesh’s corner was the go-to spot for the trainee jawans here at the Commissionary crossing. He used to take care of a stray dog. However, he went back to his hometown after the first lockdown due to Covid-19 leaving the dog behind.”
Khan further said that over the months, all the trainee jawans – constables and head constables – developed love for the stray, named him after the tea stall owner ‘Rakesh’ and started taking care of him.