Vaanya Shukla
Kissa Khaki Ka is a podcast that showcases the stories of the Delhi Police officers who dedicate their lives to a challenging service with valor, bravery, and humanitarianism. The podcast has been a source of awe and inspiration for over a year.
Valor. Bravery. Sacrifice. Exhaustion but, Unappreciated and undervalued. I believe that’s how it works out when you talk about the reality of being a police officer who dedicates their life to a challenging and sacrificial service.
Enter Kissa Khaki Ka, the first-ever podcast run by a police department that initiates to reduce the gap of understanding between the people and the Delhi Police. The podcast is narrated and written by Dr. Vartika Nanda, a prominent figure who refers to herself as ‘an academic by profession, a journalist by vocation, and a prison reformer by passion’. She has taken it upon herself to bring to us these stories, stories that are unbelievable and jaw-droppingly inspirational. There are stories of bravery, stories of benevolence and humanitarianism, and stories that are neglected by the mainstream nation just because they won’t grab the same numbers of eyeballs it might at the failure of the system, or at the criticism of anything, and everything as far as the eye can see.
Kissa Khaki Khaki on 16 January became 1 year old, a year celebrated with an audio tale of the 365-day journey that aired on the same day filled with an abundance of untold and unheard stories of exceptionality among the Delhi Police (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzW_AResJog&t=27s). And even today, it continues its efforts with great commitment, completing its 66th episode on April 18, 2023. These episodes are uploaded every Sunday at 2 pm on Youtube and other social media handles of Delhi Police.
The podcast started its journey on January 16, 2022, when the nation celebrated its 75th Independence Day, with hope and commitment – the commitment to bridge the gap between the police forces and the common masses, and hope that one day, it will succeed. The stories the podcast takes you on are phenomenal, as you often question and marvel at the sheer commitment and enthusiasm that the stories speak about. They are incredible and so beautifully sowed together in a narrative style that’s captivating and impactful, bringing life to the efforts that several police officers make beyond the realms of their responsibilities as police officers.
This series has left an impact on me that I personally can never shed. These are stories that I wish our nation would listen to and indulges itself in gratitude and courage for the heroes that are unheard of. That’s what I felt when I first heard of Mr. Rakesh Kumar in Episode 15 ‘Aam Aadmi Ka Masiha’ that aired on April 10, 2022. This man took up the responsibility of honoring the 1,100 lives lost due to the pandemic, as he, alone, bid them a proper funeral and mourned on behalf of the families that didn’t show up. It was a tale exceptional and so inspirational that it dwarfed my own sorrow and pain I felt during the pandemic, and that gives a certain sense of purpose to life and value to things that truly matter. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe_HgnRI9x0)
Episode 14 ‘Helmet Cop’ aired on April 17, 2022, brings to you Sandeep Shahi, an officer with great zeal and passion who took it upon himself to ensure the safety of every rider through his eccentric style of delivering his message, the message was to ensure every driver wears a helmet. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JFlZcDW6ZY)
And then there was Episode 13 ‘Khaki Ka Khana’ which aired on April 24, 2022. The episode saw Rajeev Kumar’s hidden efforts come to light through Dr. Vartika Nanda’s voice. Kumar fed and provided support to the grieving and struggling families in the corridors of Safdurjang Hospital and AIIMS, and became the source of hope and light to these desperate and helpless families. These hospitals are everyday witnesses to people falling on their knees, pleading for the well-being of their patients and support in front of peons, nurses, doctors, and receptionists. Their sufferings are bigger than the universe itself and personalities such as Kumar really shake your gut and make you question if you really need a perfect day to help people need because maybe all you need to do is get up and start somewhere. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGjcwVFCYzg).
These stories are now available in a coffee table book titled, “KISSA KHAKI KA – Varsh Ek, Smritiyan Anek” which showcases 50 such remarkable episodes of courage and compassion by the Delhi Police personnel of various ranks. The book, authored by Dr. Vartika Nanda, was launched on January 16, 2023, and has been converted from the podcast itself, to reach a wider audience that enjoys reading over listening and wants to dive deeper into the stories of Delhi Police personnel. It will be a is a tribute to the khaki-clad heroes, a lasting legacy, and a source of inspiration for the readers who can witness the extraordinary services rendered by the women and men in Khaki. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29j2FRmYgO4)
These tales are important to be told and written across the pages of our history. They remind us every now and then to appreciate these hidden heroes in Khaki, teach us to appreciate them, and be grateful for them. And we should, shouldn’t we? Because we live a little better every time a cop decides that this nation is worth serving. In turn, we as that very nation owe them gratitude for what they do, not just as cops but also for every time they decide to do something beyond the realms of their official duty. It restores our hope in the system, and our faith in the police forces and makes us believe that humanity thrives as long as we serve and cherish humanity itself. It inspires us and fills us with hope and admiration.
References
Name of the Publication: Kissa Khaki Ka: Audio Journey of One Year of Podcast: Delhi Police
Byline: Dr. Vartika Nanda
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzW_AResJog&t=57s
Name of the Publication: Kissa Khaki Ka: Podcasts & the coffee table book: Delhi Police
Byline: Dr. Vartika Nanda
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29j2FRmYgO4
Name of the Publication: Kissa Khaki Ka: Helmet Cop
Byline: Dr. Vartika Nanda
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7cIBZc5w9s
Name of the Publication: Kissa Khaki Ka: Aam Aadmi Ka Masiha
Byline: Dr. Vartika Nanda
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe_HgnRI9x0&t=18s
Name of the Publication: Kissa Khaki Ka: Khaki Ka Khana
Byline: Dr. Vartika Nanda
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGjcwVFCYzg&t=38s
Name of the Publication: ‘Kissa Khaki Ka’: Delhi Police To Launch Podcast On Sunday
Byline: India News | Press Trust of India
Link:https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-police-to-launch-podcast-on-sunday-2710337
Name of the Publication: Delhi Police launches its first podcast ‘Kissa Khaki Ka’
Byline: Tanseem Haider Link:https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-police-launches-first-podcast-kissa-khaki-ka-1900689-2022-01-16
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