Address by Governor at the Closing Ceremony of the 31st Maharashtra State Police Games 2019 in Nagpur

Address by Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra at the Closing Ceremony of the 31st Maharashtra State Police Games 2019 to be held at Police Lines, Takli, Nagpur at 1630 hrs on Friday, 18th January 2019

Shri Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Hon’ble Guardian Minister of Nagpur, Shri Datta Padsalgikar, Director General of Maharashtra Police, Dr Pradnya Savavade, Additional DGP (Administration), Dr Bhushan Kumar Upadhyaya, Commissioner of Police, Nagpur, Shri Anup Kumar Singh, Special IGP (Admin), senior police officers, all the participants of the Police Games, police personnel, family members of police personnel, invitees, ladies and gentlemen,

सर्व प्रथम आपणा सर्वांना नवीन वर्षाच्या शुभेच्छा देतो.

ऐकतीसाव्या, राज्य पोलीस क्रीडा स्पर्धेच्या, सांगता व पुरस्कार वितरण कार्यक्रमाला उपस्थित राहताना मला अतिशय आनंद होत आहे.

या स्पर्धेसाठी राज्याच्या विविध जिल्ह्यांमधून आलेल्या सर्व स्पर्धकांचे मी हार्दिक अभिनंदन करतो.

या स्पर्धांमध्ये, पदके आणि पारितोषिके, प्राप्त करणाऱ्या, सर्व पोलीस भगिनी, आणि बंधूंचे, मी मनःपूर्वक अभिनंदन करतो.

Since coming to Maharashtra as Governor of the State, I have attended the Police Games awards function every year. This function provides me an opportunity to interact with you directly, and to understand various issues of the state police.

I convey my appreciation and felicitations to the Director General of Police Maharashtra for maintaining the tradition of hosting the Annual Police Games regularly.

I place on record my appreciation of the Nagpur Police for making elaborate arrangements for the hosting and the smooth conduct of the Police Games.

I congratulate Dr Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay, Commissioner of Police, Nagpur, the Organizing Secretary of the Games and all senior officers and personnel for their unstinted efforts in organizing the games.

Brothers and Sisters,

As Governor of Maharashtra, I often meet Presidents and Prime Ministers of various countries visiting our State.

During my interaction with them, I routinely enquire to the dignitaries: what is the population of their country. I am surprised by their replies. Many countries of the world have population which is actually much less than the population of our cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad.

The visiting dignitaries are surprised when I mention to them that the population of our State of Maharashtra alone, is more than the combined population of Germany, Australia and New Zealand put together!!

As members of the prestigious Maharashtra Police, you are maintaining peace, law and order of such a huge State like ours.

Despite several challenges, limitations and constraints on our police force, I am proud to note that Maharashtra Police is reckoned among the best in the country.

A large credit for maintaining the reputation of Maharashtra as the most peaceful, progressive and industrious State in the country goes to the State Police. This reputation has helped it to maintain its position as the most attractive destination for foreign direct investment.

Dear Police Brothers and Sisters,

The motto of Maharashtra Police is ‘सदरक्षणाय, खलनिग्रहणाय’ which means ‘To Protect the Righteous, and to Destroy the Evil’.

In today’s world driven by technology, the nature of crimes and the modus operandi of the evil are changing rapidly. These days, crimes not only take place in the real world, they also take place in the virtual world.

Last year, hackers cloned ATM cards and looted a cooperative bank by several crore rupees. The criminals remained invisible.

The 21st Century Maharashtra requires a Police Force of the 21st Century. For this purpose, we will have to transform our police force into a Smart and Technology – friendly Police Force.

During the last few years, Maharashtra witnessed scores of large gatherings, politically-charged congregations and protest marches. The role of intelligence gathering becomes utmost important to prevent the possibility of violence during such large gatherings.

Social media has come as a major challenge for the police force all over the world. Social media is often misused to spread lies, incite violence and to pursue divisive agenda.

Greater vigilance will be required to prevent crimes perpetrated using social media platforms.

Women are equal partners in a nation’s development. It should be our endeavour to create a safer and more enabling atmosphere for women to excel in various areas and to participate in economic activity. There should be zero- tolerance with regard to crimes against women, children and the differently-abled persons.

The fitness of police force must be accorded topmost priority. Thought may be given to declaring the year 2020 as the Year of Fitness for the state police. Various events, measures and incentives can be planned to promote fitness among police personnel during the year.

I am happy that the police games have brought to the fore some of the excellent sportspersons within the State police. I wish and hope that Maharashtra police will produce champions for international sporting events like Asian Games and Olympics.

With these words, I congratulate all the participants and winners of the Police Games 2019.

I congratulate the Maharashtra Police for successfully conducting the 31st Annual Police Games and wish you all success in your future endeavours.

Jai Hind ! Jai Maharashtra !!

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