Ever since 27-year-old S. Nagarajan, a member of the Tamil Nadu Special Police of Youth Brigade, was deployed at the zebra-crossing in front of Nathamuni theatre in Villivakkam on Chennai — Tiruvallur High Road, it feels safer to travel on the stretch.
For years, frequent accidents have been reported from here and in most cases, pedestrians have been the victims. In an accident reported in August 2013, a five-year-old girl was killed. Following the untoward incident, steel barricades and speed breakers came up but that was not of much help.
Things began to change for the better in May 2014 when Nagarajan was stationed there. The residents began to recognise him for his punctuality and dedication. He is a son of a carpenter and a first-generation learner.
A resident of Maduravoyal, he did his diploma in mechanical engineering and worked for four years as mechanical maintenance supervisor at Prasad Film Laboratories in Saligramam, up to 2012. As his father was not keeping well, Nagarajan had to help him in carpentry. Nagarajan enjoyed wood work as it was his family’s traditional occupation.
However, the sudden death of his father last year changed Nagarajan’s life altogether. The responsibility of taking care of his family fell on his shoulders. Last year, Nagarajan heeded his friend’s advice and applied for TNSPYB.
“I never thought of being in police uniform but now I really enjoy the job assigned to me by the Villivakkam police. The work is tiresome as one has to stand in the open but I feel happy,” says Nagarajan.
As a token of appreciation for his dedication, residents of DABC Vasantham Apartment honoured him with a cash award of Rs. 1,000 recently. The function was attended by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Anna Nagar), V. Chellam and Villivakkam Traffic Police Inspector M. Janakiraman. “He doesn’t give any excuse nor does he take leave unnecessarily. He is disciplined and neatly dressed,” said Janakiramanan. Nagarajan is now preparing to join the police force.
