Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown on 24 March, which has since been extended twice, India has been reeling under the impact. The plight of migrant workers, the loss of revenue faced by several business owners and the lack of adequate PPE kits for frontline workers are just some of the problems the country is dealing with.
Renowned poet, lyricist and writer Gulzar has been penning his thoughts on the crises. He had earlier written about how we should be hopeful and helpful to our neighbours as well as take care of stray animals. And now, he has written and recorded a heartfelt ode to the police of the country, whom he calls corona warriors.
Also read: ‘Dhoop aane do’, don’t lose hope & feed the strays: Gulzar’s lockdown message in poetry, prose
In a video posted on Facebook, Gulzar spoke of how we depend on the police for help and how they are our first port of call in an emergency. He spoke of how, in the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, the police have been out there, risking their lives for our safety.
Translated to English, the message says:
Friends!
I want to talk to you about something very important.
A policeman is a guardian, someone who protects. He is there to help. When we are in an emergency or a difficult situation, we look around for a cop, hoping for some assistance. When an incident or accident happens, we run to inform the police. Right?
So it is the duty of every city dweller to respect and revere that that helper, that protector.
In any city, when there is a bad situation, a riot, a fire, any violence, the police are the first ones to reach the scene. And in today’s times, they are risking their lives to do their duty and protect you. At every crossing and street corner, in lanes that have been declared infection hotspots, at places that you are not allowed to go, they are there.
For this sacrifice, salute them, and respect their uniform. Please.
Thank you.
Also read: India spends 1% GDP on Covid relief, can do more: IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath