Empowering kids: Bhopal police hold sports competition for young adults

Bhopal: As part of the special community policing initiative Srijan, the Bhopal police organised an annual sports competition for children on Thursday. The event, aimed at promoting safety and empowerment among adolescents, took place at Police Line in Nehru Nagar.
Srijan scheme has been operational for the past three years in collaboration with 12 Bhopal (urban) police stations and involves approximately 2,500 children, around 2,000 girls and 500 boys, from 18 slum areas.
The initiative collaborates with social organisations such as Bachpan, Uday, Sangini, Aarambh, and Muskaan. These organisations actively contribute to the programme by conducting training camps for adolescent boys and girls, thereby integrating them into the community policing framework.
Launched two years ago, the community policing initiative by Bhopal Police Commissionerate aimed at preventing crimes against women and children, raising awareness about domestic violence and self-reliance in various slum areas. The scheme provides training in legal knowledge, women rights, career development, and self-defence to children aged 10 to 18. It also prepares and motivates them for recruitment in various govt services.
The scheme has significantly contributed to reducing incidents of domestic violence and crimes against women in these areas.
Additionally, 15 girls from the Srijan programme have qualified for the written exam in the ongoing police recruitment process.
The initiative has gained national recognition and was lauded at a Supreme Court seminar in Delhi for its efforts in controlling crime against women and advocating child-friendly policing. The initiative has been instrumental in fostering community security and reducing crime in slum areas.
The annual sports competition, sponsored by a nationalised bank, featured various events including 400m and 200m races, kabaddi, kho-kho, tug-of-war, long jump, high jump, sack race, Zumba dance, lemon race, and martial arts. Around 500 children participated in the event.
Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra and DIG (Community Policing) Dr Vineet Kapoor were present at the programme, among other officials.