‘DGPs’ conference: Urgent need to transform public perception of police’
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his latest Mann ki Baat broadcast on Sunday, declared that the unstoppable energy and dedication of India’s youth is the single greatest force driving the dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
The dedication of India’s youth is the greatest strength, he said citing recent achievements across diverse sectors ranging from space manufacturing to farming.
In his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address, the prime minister listed the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’, the Constitution Day celebration at the Central Hall, and the hoisting of ‘Dharmadhwaja’ atop the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya among the inspirational developments in November.
He also highlighted the inauguration of the world’s largest LEAP engine MRO facility in Hyderabad and the induction of INS ‘Mahe’ into the Indian Navy.
“Just last week, Skyroot’s Infinity Campus gave a new boost to India’s space ecosystem. This is a reflection of India’s new thinking, innovation, and youth power,” PM Modi said in the 128th episode of his ‘Mann ki Baat’ address.
PM Modi referred to a video on social media of a unique drone competition organised by ISRO.
“In this video, the youth of our country, especially our Gen-Z, were trying to fly drones in conditions similar to Mars,” he said, adding that the youth were trying to fly drones solely with the help of cameras and in-built software in the absence of GPS support on Mars.
Meanwhile, at 60th All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police, the PM stressed the urgent need to transform public perception of the police, particularly among the youth, by enhancing professionalism, sensitivity, and responsiveness.
Modi also stressed on the importance of establishing mechanisms for the regular monitoring of banned outfits, ensuring the holistic development of areas freed from Left Wing Extremism, and adopting innovative models to strengthen coastal security.
In Mann ki Baat, the PMrecalled that the young team tasted success after several rounds of failure when the drone crashed.
He said the scientists at ISRO too were disappointed when the Chandrayaan-2 lost contact, but built upon the failure to finally succeed with Chandrayaan-3.
“It was the success of the new confidence built after coming out of failure. I saw that same spark in the eyes of the young people seen in this video,” he said.
“Every time I see the dedication of our youth and the spirit of commitment of our scientists, my heart fills up with enthusiasm. This dedication of the youth is one of the greatest strengths of Viksit Bharat,” the prime minister said.
The prime minister spoke at length about bee farming initiatives across the country, achievements in the field of sports, India winning the bid for hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030, and his visits to South Africa for the G20 Summit and Bhutan.
Addressing the 60th All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police, the prime minister directed police forces of states and UTs to adopt innovative strategies for integrating uninhabited islands, make effective use of databases integrated under NATGRID, and link these systems through artificial intelligence to generate actionable intelligence.
“Prime Minister stressed the urgent need to transform public perception of the police, particularly among the youth, by enhancing professionalism, sensitivity, and responsiveness,” said an official statement issued after the conclusion of the three-day conference.
The conference was themed ‘Viksit Bharat: Security Dimensions’.
Modi highlighted the need to strengthen urban policing, reinvigorate tourist police, and increase public awareness regarding the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, and Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, which replace the colonial-era criminal laws.
He called for encouraging universities and academic institutions to undertake case studies on the use of forensics in police investigations, noting that enhanced forensic application would further strengthen the criminal justice system.
The prime minister emphasised that tackling drug abuse requires a ‘whole-of-government’ approach, bringing together enforcement, rehabilitation, and community-level intervention.
The conference witnessed in-depth deliberations on a wide range of national security matters.
Discussions were held on the long-term roadmap for policing towards Vision 2047, emerging trends in counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation, leveraging technology to enhance women’s safety, strategies to bring back Indian fugitives based abroad, and strengthening forensic capabilities to ensure effective investigation and prosecution, the statement said.
Modi underscored the need for stronger preparedness and coordination, urging police chiefs to reinforce mechanisms for effective disaster management covering cyclones, floods, and other natural emergencies, including the ongoing situation of cyclone Ditwah.
He emphasised that proactive planning, real-time coordination, prompt response, and a ‘whole-of-government’ approach are essential to safeguard lives and ensure minimal disruption during such events.
In his address, the prime minister also called upon the police chiefs to realign the style of policing to meet the aspirations of a developing nation on the path to becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’.
At the conference, Modi distributed the President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service to officers of the Intelligence Bureau.
He also presented awards to the three best-performing cities in urban policing, a recognition instituted for the first time to encourage innovation and improvement in urban policing.
The conference was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, ministers of state for home affairs, and the Union home secretary.
DGPs and IGPs from all states and UTs, as well as heads of Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organisations, participated in the conference physically, while more than 700 officers of various ranks joined virtually from across the country.
