Nagpur: Stress management has assumed a green hue at Gittikhadan police station, where 100 flowering pots and ornamental plants are offering a soothing sight in the backdrop of stark crime statistics scribbled on a board. In fact, the khaki sweep on the campus is being overshadowed by green pots lining the station house and corridors leading to the senior inspector's office. The pots even have names of contributor cops who are their individual caretakers too.
Sources stated each cop was requested by the senior inspector, Kailas Deshmane, to bring a flowering pot and ornamental plant and nurture them to keep these alive and healthy. "There are around 126 cops posted at Gittikhadan police station. Around 100 of them brought plants and decorated the place. I see them watering, de-weeding, and removing dry leaves every day without being prompted," said Deshmane, adding he had made an appeal for a greener look to the police station, but was met with an overwhelming response.
Deshmane said the concept is to offer psychological relief to visitors, complainants, and others who would be greeted with the comforting sight of flowers and verdant plants. "The bulk of visitors are plagued with mental stress and tensions when they arrive at the police station. The sight of flowers and ornamental plants offers them solace. They immediately feel at ease," said Deshmane, adding it's also helpful for stressed-out cops to handle the perturbed visitors.
Rajendra Kewate of Gittikhadan police station stated he spends the first few minutes attending to his pot after arriving at the police station, which energises the mind at the onset of the day. Kewate's colleague, Rajendra Barbat, stated he contributed six pots, each representing one alphabet of his surname. "The plants add to positive energy. Police commissioner Ravinder Singal had instructed police stations to be kept clean and green, which all the units must follow," he said.