The Maharashtra government has given a serious ear to celebrated playback singer Asha Bhosle's criticism of the behaviour of the traffic police. In the light of her remarks, State Home Minister R.R. Patil on Tuesday announced training workshops on polite manners for the traffic personnel.
Mr. Patil “issued directions to the traffic branch, asking them to behave politely with the common people and not just with important personalities,” a press statement said. He also called for an inquiry into “the bad experience” the singer had had.
At a function organised to confer her with the Honorary D.Litt. (Doctor of Letters) degree from the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) in Nashik on Monday, Ms. Bhosle struck a strident note in her acceptance speech by criticising the police's lack of civility.
‘Abrupt remark'
“It was an abrupt remark; a sudden outburst coming out of the blue. She said the police should talk and behave properly and that their education was important,” YCMOU Vice-Chancellor R. Krishnakumar told The Hindu over telephone.
Mr. Krishnakumar said the university had tied up with the Maharashtra police a year ago to impart Bachelor of Arts courses to the police personnel and MBA courses to police officers.
Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan was the chief guest at the event. He conferred the degree on Ms. Bhosle.
