Ever wondered what your options are in the face of a cantankerous boss? Most would bitch about him in private – with colleagues or with family members. But there are a few like Mr. Prakash Mishra, a 1977-batch Odisha Cadre IPS officer, who would imagine funny things about such a boss and make fun of him in private. And post-retirement, would compile such funny incidents into a book.
Please watch the full interview with Mr. Prakash Mishra by clicking on this link…
Former DGP of Odisha, who also worked as DG, CRPF, Mr. Prakash Mishra is a pioneer in the sense that no police officer, at least such a senior officer, has ever attempted any such ‘literary adventure.’ His book, aptly titled ‘Comedy in Khaki,’’ is to be released at a function at Delhi police headquarters on January 11, 2025.
Mr. Mishra’s memoirs are unique because he never maintained a diary. All events described in the book – which happened 35-40 years ago—are described so vividly and in such great detail as if they took place only yesterday.
Importantly, he hasn’t exaggerated or subdued the events or characters. Most of the characters existed in flesh and blood; only their names have been changed. But, hopefully, everybody in the Odisha police would recognize these persons/officers.
Mr. Mishra doesn’t lampoon a person. It’s just his language and presentation of an event that evoke smiles in some and rapturous laughter in others. Events like a person being chased by a dog or a cow are mundane events taking place in everyone’s life almost on a daily basis. Yet, his simple yet almost photographic presentation of the event makes one smile at almost every other sentence.
From eccentric DIGs who find vicarious pleasure in inspecting subordinate offices – mostly for the feast offered to them—to the one who gets injured in the toilet, every incident makes the reader explode in laughter.
