5 kids battling deadly illness become top cop for a day

Inspiring initiative

Five children with life-threatening illnesses had their wish fulfilled on Monday, as they were made police officers for a day at the commissioner’s office on Infantry Road.

The junior police officers — aged between 5 and 10 — accepted a guard of honour in the morning and conversed with city police commissioner Bhaskar Rao.

They were then shown the control room, the canine squad and the use of a walkie-talkie, and were taken on a ride on the police jeep. After a sumptuous snack, the children went back, with the resolution to be a police officer when they grow up.

Rao briefed Ruthan Kumar (8), Syed Imad (5), Mohammad Sakib (10), Shravani Battala (8) and Afarth Pasha (7) about the life of a police officer. The children are getting treated for critical ailments like Thalassemia and nephrotic syndrome at different city hospitals.

“I want to be a police officer because I want to be very strong and catch bad people,” said Shravani, who suffers from Thalassemia.

Rao expressed happiness in fulfilling the children’s wish to be a police officer for a day. “This is in line with our motto of serving the people and staying close to the public,” he said. “We hope these children are inspired enough to be police officials when they grow up.”

‘Make a Wish’

The foundation Make a Wish, India, organised the visit after interacting with the police. “Granting of an innermost cherished wish of a child has a very positive impact on the child and all the stakeholders, including their family, the doctors and all concerned,” said Deepak S Bhatia, CEO, Make a Wish, India.

“We are extremely grateful to (commissioner) Bhaskar Rao for the memorable experience given to these children, who will help us accomplish our aim to transform lives, one wish at a time,” Bhatia added.