Tailor-made to man traffic: Police salute man for 25 years of voluntary service

Dibrugarh: For 27 years, rain or shine, one figure has been as constant at Makum Town’s main traffic point as the rush itself. He is not a police officer, not a govt official, not even someone assigned the job. He is a tailor who decided long ago that the town needed order at its busiest crossing — and that he would be the one to help provide it.

Dipak Das (58) earns his living from his tailoring shop, but since 1999 he has also given Makum something else — five to six hours a day of unpaid, voluntary traffic management at the town’s main point. No salary, no designation, no official duty roster. Just a daily presence that residents have come to rely on, and a steady hand in the middle of heavy flow.


On Wednesday, the quiet service provided by Das was formally acknowledged. A resident of Tarun Nagar in Makum under Tinsukia district, he was felicitated by senior superintendent of police (SSP) Tinsukia, Mayank Kumar, at a ceremony held at the SSP office. He received a certificate of appreciation and a cash reward of Rs 3,000.

At home, Das is a father of two — a son and a daughter. In public, he has been a familiar safeguard, balancing family responsibilities with a self-imposed commitment to the streets outside.

The certificate presented by the SSP captured what locals have witnessed for years. “As a responsible citizen of Makum, Dipak Das has voluntarily assisted in traffic management, playing a crucial role in handling the town’s heavy traffic flow and ensuring smooth and safe movement on the roads. His meticulous approach, accuracy, and promptness have significantly contributed to maintaining public safety and order,” the citation read.

For Das, the moment carried emotion more than triumph. The work, he said, was never about recognition. “I have never done this for awards or money. I started because I saw the chaos on the roads and felt that as a resident, I should do something. When I see the traffic moving smoothly and children crossing safely, that is my real reward,” he said.

His dedication has drawn appreciation before. Over the years, Das has been honoured by various organisations, including the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) and the Makum Town Committee. Yet the police department’s recognition stands apart, marking an official salute from the institution he has been supporting — day after day — for nearly three decades.

Even with the certificate in hand, Das remains unchanged in his resolve. Asked whether he plans to step away from the roadside, he answered with the same steadiness that has defined his routine.

“As long as I have the strength to stand, I will be there. The people of Makum are my family, and looking after their safety is my duty,” Das said.