A meeting with the Police Commisioner of Mysore...

A meeting of concerned citizens of Gokulam and the neighboring areas will be held at the V. V. Mohalla Police Station at 11 am tomorrow, Sunday 18 August. It would help our cause of ensuring safety for women in Gokulam, if some yoga students (both male and female, but particularly female) would come with me to this meeting. We must make stronger representation and numbers would make a great effect I would think. Please be present at Anu's Cafe at 10.45 am if you wish to go with me. If you miss, then come to the V. V. Mohalla police station directly. Your cooperation is appreciated.
~Anu Ganesh

I saw this message on my Face Book page this morning when I woke up at 7:00 and just knew that Ray and I would accompany our long time friend Anu to this meeting.

We arrived just as Ganesh was seeing Anu out of their front gates and off we drove to the V.V. Mohalla Police Station not too far from their home.


                

                                                                                                                                                                                  

 In good Indian fashion the meeting began about 30 mins. behind schedule, so everyone was ready and seated once the Station Inspector arrived.

 

 

 Everyone was anxious for the meeting to begin so that they could address their concerns/issues with the Police Commissioner who was due to arrive shortly. But in the meantime the Station Inspector went over the last months meeting and the issues and concerns that the citizens had come forth with, as well as the outcome of "said issues/concerns"

It was a full house as you can see....

                                                                                                                                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

    The man bending over signing the paper is the Station Inspector.

 

The meeting was pretty much discussed in a language I neither speak, nor will pretend to understand..because I only know a few words and none one of which were spoken during the meeting.

But thank goodness we were with Anu as she was able to translate most of it for us.

 

Many issues were touched on, including the following...

Construction work blocking streets.

Two chickens that had been stolen from a mans property

Gas cylinders that had been stolen from someone's property

Young couples spending time together in the park after sunset

 

and then the situation regarding the Yoga community was brought up.

Anu came forth with her concerns on every one's behalf.

She asked about the extra police patrol on the streets as the busy season was soon to begin here in Gokulam.

 

Other citizens spoke up and asked why the Yoga Shalas don't do more or come forth with ideas and solutions regarding the situation when They in fact are the ones making the BIG Money from the Yoga students. And in fact was Their responsibility.

Some even felt that it was a good idea for the Main Shala to move to a remote location that would ensure the students more safety and thus provide housing for them as well...

 

They addressed Anu's concerns and told her that they were doing everything they could to provide extra street patrol during the hours of 4am-2pm and 4pm-8:30pm

 The Police Commissioner is pictured in blue. He was quite thorough in telling the crowd what they were doing in regards to making Mysore an even safer town. He seemed genuinely concerned in making the residents feel safe and watched over. He touched on Many points in his conversation and I felt a real sense on community while at the meeting.

 

 

One very concerned gentleman turned around and told Ray and I that he gets Extremely concerned when he sees young women riding on the backs of scooters with men that he seems to know are of "questionable character" and wanted us to be sure to tell them that they should Be Aware of who you go with unless you Know who they are. He doesn't want to see anyone getting hurt or any problems arising from such situations.

 

The Police Commissioner also told Anu that included in the Police Security, there are 6 all together and a few are dressed in street clothing so that nobody will know who they are.

He said he in fact "wants this situation taken care of and want's to see it come to an end. That he is trying to solve the problem"

 

I personally came away from the meeting with a good feeling and with a Very hopeful heart knowing that the Police here in this wonderful little town that I am living in are watching over the residents to the Very Best of their ability and they Do Care.

 

 In fact they care SO Much...they must have Known I was coming because they served CHAI and Cookies!!!