“Fit Hai Tau Hit Hai” (If you are fit, you are a hit) is not a catchy slogan of a product on television. This is the sentiment of a police personnel who takes pride in his fitness. He said this while welcoming the idea mooted by the Assam Police, on the advice of the Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, that policemen in the State need to be fit and in shape to carry out their daily responsibilities.
In a move to shed flab in the body and deadwood in the force, the Assam Police has launched a Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement initiative to keep its personnel, literally on their toes. The exercise began across 36 designated centres across Assam on August 16 and would end on August 31 by when all of its 68,000 personnel, including IPS and APS officers, would be identified and dubbed fit (it means their BMI would be less than 30), while those with a BMI of above 30 shall be sent to the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy to get back into shape within 90 days while others, failing the test to be conducted again in November, would be served a regret letter directing them to opt for a VRS
Among those who appeared for the measurement at the headquarters of the 4th Assam Police Battalion was DGP G P Singh, who passed the test with a BMI score of 25, thereby setting the tone for other officers and personnel of his force.
Constable Ravi Deka Raja, too, passed his BMI test. In fact, ever since this test was announced as mandatory, Raja has been waiting for an opportune time to show his fitness, something in which he takes immense pride. “This was important for us. Initiative like this will keep us fit and drive home the importance of nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. It was a simple exercise. We were measured for our height, then weight, and finally our fingerprints were taken,” Deka Raja listed out the steps to Asom Barta.
This idea was mooted in May this year thereby allowing police personnel a preparatory period of three months to pass the BMI Test and shed all worries.
“We have been organising regular exercise sessions for our officers and jawans. I have been personally suggesting them to focus on fitness and do away with excess sugar, salt, and oily food. This will be a win-win situation for each one of us,” the Assam DGP told the media before undertaking his BMI examination.
Prateek Thube, Joint Commissioner of Police, Guwahati emphasised the importance of a database of police personnel. “We gathered relevant data from the Finance Department related to information of the personnel under the payroll of Assam Police like their present rank, place of posting, etc. On that basis, we created 36 teams which have been entrusted to carry out the BMI initiative. Out of this 36, seven are based in Guwahati while the remaining 29 are carrying out their responsibilities in other places of the State.”
He said that the BMI examination is a digital initiative. All centres across Assam have been fitted with CCTV cameras to maintain neutrality of the process.
Constable Parijyoti Rajkhowa while appreciating the exercise said that to be an efficient policeman one must be physically fit. “I have been able to apply those principles which govern my professional life in my personal life as well. One of which is to be physically fit, and to take care of my body,” she told this reporter.
Kishore Saloi (37) told this newsletter that his experience over the last 14 years of his professional life was that people have more confidence in a fit policemen to oversee law and order. He says that he is regular with his morning walk and exercise. His BMI index score of 21.9 was a testimony to his statement and his claim: Fit Hai tau Hit Hai.
