Address by Governor at the Closing Ceremony of the 29th Maharashtra State Police Games 2017 at Aurangabad
Address by Shri Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra at the Closing Ceremony of the 29th Maharashtra State Police Games 2017 at IRB Ground, off Beed Bypass, Aurangabad at 1630 hrs on Thursday, 12th January 2017
Shri Sudhir Kumar Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Shri Satish Mathur, Director General of Police, Smt Archana Tyagi, Special IGP (admin), Shri Amitesh Kumar, Commissioner of Police, Aurangabad, 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 तसेच मकर संक्रांतीच्या शुभेच्छा देतो.
आज आपणा सर्वांना भेटून खूप आनंद वाटला.
आज आपण येथे सादर केलेले कार्यक्रम, मार्च पास्ट व धावण्याच्या स्पर्धा पाहून चांगले वाटले.
राज्य पोलीस क्रीडा स्पर्धेमधे पदक प्राप्त केलेल्या सर्व स्पर्धकांचे मी मनःपूर्वक अभिनंदन करतो आणि शुभेच्छा देतो.
महाराष्ट्र हे देशातील सर्वाधिक प्रगत राज्य आहे. येथील लोक शांतीपूर्ण आहेत. राज्याला सर्वधर्म समभावाची उत्तम परंपरा लाभली आहे.
आपल्या राज्याची कायदा आणि सुव्यवस्था देशात सर्वात चांगली आहे. त्यामुळे येथील वातावरण उद्योगासाठी व प्रगतीसाठी चांगले आहे.
आपल्या राज्याच्या प्रगतीमधे पोलीस दलाचे योगदान फार मोठे आहे. याकरिता मी आपणा सर्वांचे विशेष अभिनंदन करतो.
I am indeed happy to associate myself with the Closing Ceremony of the 29th Maharashtra State Police Games. I hope you have had the best of tournament during the last one week.
At the outset, I convey my appreciation and compliments to the Director General of Police Shri Satish Mathur, the Commissioner of Police, Aurangabad, Organizing Secretary of the Games, Special IGP Smt Archana Tyagi and other senior officers and personnel for their unstinted efforts in organizing the games.
Brothers and Sisters,
Policing is one of the toughest jobs. It requires vigilance and attention for all 24 hours throughout the year.
The police games offer a welcome break to you from your otherwise hectic schedule.
I understand that nearly 2500 police personnel from 13 police teams took part in this year’s Games. I am particularly happy to note that 671 women players took part in the event.
I congratulate each one of the participants, especially individuals and teams who have put up excellent performance in these games.
I want to see the sports persons from Maharashtra Police playing for the nation in National and International sports and games.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Police are rightly regarded as the face of the Government. They have a direct role and responsibility in maintaining law and order in the State. Today India is emerging as a global power. Within India, Maharashtra is regarded as the most progressive States that attracts highest foreign direct investment. It is all the more necessary that the State maintains its reputation as the most peaceful, progressive and best governed State in the country.
The nation has seen the dedication of our police personnel during testing times. The nation cannot forget the bravery and courage of our police personnel who sacrificed their life while fighting terrorists in Mumbai.
The problem of Naxalism in the State has been effectively curbed and crushed and the credit for the same goes to the State Government and particularly to the State Police.
Thanks to these efforts, a new dawn of development has begun in the Naxal affected districts.
Today, the challenges for the police are growing. Cyber crimes are increasing and are expected to grow even further.
The population of Maharashtra has surpassed 11.23 Crore. The size of the police force is much small when compared to the needs of such vast population.
Needless to say, Maharashtra needs an advanced, professional and well-equipped police force. We have to use technology to overcome the shortage of police personnel wherever possible.
It pains me when I read news reports about crimes against women. We must take effective steps to curb crime against women. We must involve college youths and students in our efforts to curb crimes against women.
Secondly, we have to maintain our police force in the best and fittest condition. Policing is an essential service. Quite often police personnel are required to work under stressful condition. At times, they do not get holidays, which further adds to their stress.
Among all government servants, the police personnel are facing maximum health issues. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the State police remains in the best and the fittest condition.
It is also necessary that welfare and wellbeing of police personnel receives topmost priority.
Improving the housing of the police must receive due attention. I am glad that the State Government has taken a decision to build 1 lakh houses for the police and has also constituted a Committee under the ACS (Home).
Events such as the Police Games should be organized even at the District Levels. All police stations should also have functional gymnasiums.
With these words, I congratulate the Maharashtra Police for successfully conducting the 29th Annual Police Games. I congratulate all the winners and participants once again and wish you all success in your future endeavours.
Jai Hind ! Jai Maharashtra !!
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