‘Police must instil confidence not fear’

When Anand Shirali got a WhatsApp forward early one morning which read lsquoA great thinker was asked what is the meaning of life He replied lsquoLife itself has no meaning it is an opportunity to create a meaning Good Morningrsquo the Andheri resident knew it had to be from then Senior Police Inspector and lately Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP Bharat GaikwadShirali explained ldquoI have so many WhatsApp forwards from him in this vein both uplifting and soulstirring That is the kind of man he was optimism was his middle name These philosophical forwards were a window to how he thought toordquoThat is why news reports of Gaikwadrsquos death by suicide which trickled in late Monday afternoon completely blindsided Shirali ldquoIn fact I am still in disbelief even as I recall my many interactions with him at Amboli police station in Andheri West on a couple of mattersrdquo reminisced Shirali who is a Dhake Colony resident ldquoThe loss is not just of a senior police officer the pain is the same sharp sense one feels on having lost a friendrdquo he explainedHumane faceShirali said he started interacting with Gaikwad in Andheri on a number of problems in the area ldquoI do social work and am into activism so I recall talking to him about some drug peddling outside educational institutions I saw a spot turn into a veritable outdoor drinking den every eveningrdquo he explained ldquoThe senior cop was extremely proactive on both countsrdquoYet it was Gaikwadrsquos sterling traits about making citizens feel comfortable and actually taking time out to explain processes that Shirali said ldquoshattered some misconceptions about policing and stressed the humane aspect about the forcerdquoChai pe charchaShirali said ldquoAt one time a colony resident had made a police complaint against the managing committee A few committee members including me went to meet Gaikwad regarding the complaint He sat us down and explained that this was a civil case He also offered us garam chai as he outlined rules and regulations He assured us that there was no need for nervousnessrdquo In fact his reassurance was outstandingShirali explained ldquoHe would always say innocent citizens need not be terrified of police stations or cops As a force we have to instil confidence not fear His cabin used to be next to people arriving for police verification related to passports They would mistakenly at times walk into his cabin When they apologised some looked frightened He would always ask them lsquowhy so stricken and scared Daro matrsquo he would say in a lighter veinrdquoImposing presenceOn the personal front Shirali said ldquoI learnt Gaikwad was a black belt in karate These persons have a strong mental makeup and discipline His imposing sixfoottall physical frame and endearing smile gave him personality and presence but it was his virtue of putting people at ease that I think will be most rememberedrdquo Though reports of those gunshots shattering the serenity of Pune will continue to disturb and evoke the inevitable why what happened questions all Shirali wanted to say was ldquoRest In Peace Gaikwad sir The years when you were overseeing Andheri were a glorious erardquoJuly 24Day incident occurredAlso Read Top 5 dishes to eat at Matungarsquos iconic Ram Ashraya as recommended by foodies