In an unusual scene, a retired police officer was seen polishing shoes in the Collectorate premises here on Thursday.
Ujjal Kumar Bramha , a 1975 batch police officer (SI) who retired from service in February 2010 after serving in capacity of Superintendent of Police (Vigilance) Bhubaneswar division, was seen polishing shoes.
Brahma’s colleagues who served with him or know him have mixed reaction towards his mission. Some while appreciated, others downplayed it. Brahma said his mission is to awaken and enhance awareness among the Government servants as well public representatives who are resorting to corrupt means against the oath they have taken before assuming duty or office.
“There is a huge moral degradation in each sphere of Government service. Be it police, doctor, teacher or leader, one would find the waning of ethical values. It is a cause of concern . A common man is deprived of justice. He or she is running from pillar to post to get justice. Police officers are sitting in the AC rooms not going to fields. Gone are the days when one officer-in-charge has to report to police station by 7 am by all means whether he/she performed duty throughout on previous night or not. Now there is no proper investigation of cases. So is the case in other service sectors too,” Bramha rued.
“Now we are aggressively pursuing Swachh Bharat for cleanliness of our environment but my message is to bring swachheta within all public servants. Let there are be transparency and accountability in all departments, be it tehsil office, sub registrar office, block ,police station , hospital or school,” he remarked.
Bramha undertook the mission of this campaign from October 2 . On the first day he sat in front of the Sahadevkhunta Model police station. He said he would continue to do the same in front of other offices and establishments too to carry forward his mission.
Bramha, a native of Baleswar, has two daughters whom he has married off and he is drawing pension too.
“I have no job left now. Thought to spread message across India whenever I get an opportunity," said Bramha. Bramha began his career as police sub-inspector from the Birmitrapur police station; and during his service career, he was posted in several police stations and served in different capacities.