New Delhi: Next time you see a Delhi Police officer, you will notice an insignia on their uniform, just above the nametag on the right side. This significant addition is a commemoration of the 1954 award of ‘Colours’ by the President of India to the city police.
The President’s ‘Colours’ is bestowed on a military force unit, in recognition of their exemplary and exceptional service rendered to the nation.
According to the official order by the Office of Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, dated 12 February, all Delhi Police personnel to start wearing the “Insignia culled from the Colours” on their uniforms starting 16 February — the 75th Raising Day Parade of the Delhi Police.
“In the year 1954, the President of India had honoured the Delhi Police by presenting it with ‘Colours’. It is essential that we remember this singular honour of our organisation, lest the ‘Colours’ remain confined to rooms and quarter guards,” the order reads.
On the Raising Day platinum jubilee, officers across ranks wore the chest badge on their uniforms, in accordance with Asthana’s orders.
The Insignia can be worn in three forms — embroidered chest badge on the uniform, chest badge with an attached pin, and chest badge with velcro.
“The President of India has awarded the Delhi Police force with Colours. The Insignia however lost its presence over time. The Commissioner of Police has now ordered for its revival. All ranks of personnel shall wear it,” Delhi Police PRO and Additional CP Western Range Chinmoy Biswal told ThePrint.
“The Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab police also wear them. This is a given as special recognition of service by the force,” the officer said.
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‘Commendable step’
Senior police officers ThePrint spoke to said that while some former police commissioners had tried to revive the Insignia, it didn’t materialise.
“This is a commendable step. An honour bestowed on a police force in recognition of its consistent outstanding work in the past. Delhi Police is one of the oldest to get this honour, conferred by the first President of the Republic,” retired IPS officer and former joint commissioner of police Suvashis Choudhary said.
The Delhi Police’s Insignia comprises the logo “shanti, seva aur nyaya”, which means “peace, service and justice”.
On Thursday, a Delhi Police Twitter thread said in Hindi: “In 1954, Delhi Police was honoured with the India Gate inscribed ‘Colors’ by the then President. In memory of this honour on the 75th Raising Day of Delhi Police, it has been made a part of the police dress code.
“The Ashoka Pillar is an essential part of the insignia of the Delhi Police as before as no changes have been made to the insignia of the Delhi Police. Delhi Police takes pride in all national symbols.”
अशोक स्तंभ पहले की तरह दिल्ली पुलिस के प्रतीक चिन्ह का अनिवार्य हिस्सा है क्योंकि दिल्ली पुलिस के प्रतीक चिन्ह में कोई बदलाव नही किया गया है।
दिल्ली पुलिस सभी राष्ट्रीय प्रतीकों पर गर्व करती है।(2/2)@ANI@PTI_News
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) February 17, 2022
Earlier, after the Raising Day parade, the force had tweeted that strict action will be taken against social media users for propagating false information on ‘Colours’, calling it an attempt to discredit Delhi Police.
Some social media users with ulterior motives are trying to discredit #DelhiPolice, incite people by spreading false narrative about the new Delhi Police 'Colours'.
We condemn the false allegations & assure strict legal action against such social media accounts. pic.twitter.com/opowOc9Fu8
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) February 16, 2022
Also read: Responsibility for citizen’s safety is of Delhi Police, says Rakesh Asthana on 75th Raising Day
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