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Police Public Mela

Police Public Mela
 
 

The Mela organised dates back to 1996, when it was held for the first time in Recreation Hall of District Police Lines, Jammu. It was inaugurated by Chairperson Mrs. M. N. Sabharwal, IPS. The Main objective of the Mela was to display the items being fabricated by District Welfare Centers for sale to increase the income of Centers as the District Police Welfare Centers were opened with the objective of engaging the family members of Police personnel in different trade activities like sewing, weaving, knitting etc. These District Police Welfare Centers used to fabricate various items throughout the year and on the day of Mela these items were brought for sale.

In the year 2002, the Mela was conducted at State level, both at Jammu and Srinagar by the Police Wives Welfare Association under the Chairpersonship of Mrs. Neeru Suri. The scheme of lucky draw was also introduced for inviting the participation of all ranks of the department. This concept was not only increase the earnings but also made the Mela familiar amongst the department as well as in general masses. In its first step various prize items were commenced with first prize of Car Maruti-800 against the coupons costing to Rs.10/- .

With the passage of time, the Police Mela started gaining faith & fame at large scale. Finally the Jammu & Kashmir Police Pariwar (Police Association for Rise, Improvement, Welfare and Rehabilitation) came into being to take on the activity in a more organized manner. With an objective to ensure more and more participation of public for purchase of items fabricated at Police Welfare Centers, large number of other activities and fun were supplemented.

All the Wings & Units of the Force from all over the State gather as a family to participate in the Mela and bring along with them the specialties of their areas as well as items utilized for the welfare of Police Pariwar. At the onset, Mela was entirely a Police affair but lateron the interest shown by Public, it evolved into Police Public Mela in the year 2005. Owing to response of the public, it was conducted twice at Srinagar within the shortest span of one month in year 2005. Taking into account the interest shown by the public as well as huge demand for issuance of lucky draw coupons, the draw coupons were enhanced from time to time. From 15th Mela, 04 series of lucky draw added but subsequently in the 20th Mela, 44 gift items including 12 nos. of luxuries Cars and 4440 cash prize coupons were placed as prize items thus increasing the cost of the coupon to an affordable price of `25/- only. To add more transparency to the draw, digitalization of the lucky draw coupon buyers has been put in place to the old practice from 18th Mela. This manages the display of the numbers of lucky winners through projector at the venue during its proceedings. The draw has bloomed its fame and the gift items have reached to every nook & corner of J&K State even to the adjoining states to the lucky winners who occasionally happen to participate in the mela. Majority of winners has been registered from the civilians and lower formations.

It is also an endeavor to revive the cultural extravaganza in the form of Mela which was once an important tradition in the State. This Mela has provided an ideal platform to the various artisans involved in cottage industries of State to sell their articles in the Capital.

Displaying of Departmental Stalls - Initially the products crafted at various district welfare centers were being displayed thereafter, others units Police like IR/ Armed Bns., Traffic Police, Training Institutes, Police Departmental stores were also listed to establish their stalls of natural products like Kala Zeera, Rajmash from Doda, Milk cake from Samba, Saffron from Pampore in the Mela. Stalls of local cottage industry like honey from Doda, Basholi paintings from Kathua, Kashmiri embroidery from Kashmir based Bns. of their areas were displayed at the Venue. Besides, the orphanage Institutes and prison Deptt. also sold their items produced by the jail inmates. Number of stalls have shown increasing trends and during the recent 20th Mela held at Jammu on 04.03.2012, as many as 36 stalls were displayed in the mela.

Kids Participation - Organizing of painting competition and healthy baby competitions etc. for the kids add its flavors in the Mela. The participants are provided with the painting materials. Cash rewards distributed among the winners to encourage their talent. The children of destitute institutes have provided with opportunities to enjoy the free rides and free lunch. “The ethics of the children” from Police Public Schools presented the welcome song at the inaugural of mela attract the general masses for registration of their wards in such events. The kids also enjoyed a lot while participating in the draw proceedings.

Entertainment Presentations -Folk Dance - Platform is being provided to various folk artists to showcase their talents and provide glimpse to the public into the rich cultural heritage of the State.

Tambola - This event always remained more attractive in the Mela being organized by the lady Members of Police Pariwar. This generates profit towards the Police Pariwar Fund.

 

Profit of Mela - The major portion of the earnings from all sources during the mela is returned to the public in the shape of various gift items which includes the cars/ two wheelers/ domestic luxuries gadgets and cash prizes. However, the leftover profits are inter alia being utilized for various welfare schemes extended to the families of Police Martyrs / Serving Police Personnel including SPOs as under:

  • Immediate refundable financial assistance in exigency upto `2.00 lakhs to the Police personnel injured in militancy related incidents and law & order duties.
  • Financial assistance upto `2.00 lakhs to SPOs inflicted with serious injuries in militancy related incidents for treatment.
  • Relief of `50,000/- under Savera Scheme to NOK of Police Personnel including SPOs.
  • Financial aid of `25,000/- in connection with marriage ceremony of daughter(s) of police martyrs including SPO’s.
  • Sponsoring one year coaching for children of Martyrs preparing for professional exams and Civil Services.
  • Imparting of coaching for professional courses to wards of serving Police Personnel.
  • Free schooling to wards of Martyred SPOs.
  • Providing of ITI trainings in various streams in respect of young widow and wards of Martyrs.
  • Establishment of Police Pariwar Fuel care Pumps to explore the job opportunities to wards of Police Martyrs.
  • Providing of financial support to PPS Jammu and Srinagar and newly established Police Public Schools at Anantnag, Baramulla, Doda, Rajouri, Leh and Kargil.

Organizing of Police Public Mela by the PWWA, provides a platform where people from all walks of life participate to enjoy taking a day off from the daily schedule; an avenue where the officers, officials and Public interact. It does not only boost the morale of our personnel but also become a source to bridge the gap between the Police and Public, which has crept in due to influx of militancy.

 

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