Raipur traffic cop who helped differently-abled man gets felicitated

RAIPUR: A day after The Times of India highlighted a traffic constable’s act of compassion at a rain-soaked city junction, Raipur police moved swiftly to recognise the gesture — turning a moment of humanity into an official commendation.Police commissioner Sanjeev Shukla felicitated traffic constable Girivar Tondon with a certificate of appreciation and a cash reward of ₹2,000, praising his timely help to a differently-abled man struggling to cross a busy road amid heavy rain and traffic chaos.Sharing the TOI report on the police department’s social media handle, commissioner Shukla wrote that the constable had become a “sarathi” for a divyang in the rain, adding that every person in need deserves immediate help.The incident, reported by TOI, had covered how Tondon halted traffic at a congested intersection during showers, assisted the man across the road and then helped him find an auto-rickshaw to reach his destination safely.Speaking to TOI, Tondon said helping the elderly and differently-abled during duty should come naturally. “I was present there at the spot for some work when I saw him struggling to cross amid traffic. I asked him where he wanted to go and then arranged an auto for him,” he said.The swift recognition has drawn appreciation on social media, with many calling it a reminder of the human side of policing. Officials said such gestures set the tone for public-friendly policing and encourage others in uniform to go beyond routine duty.