Ex-IPS and the former Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Prakash Singh, has recently launched his fourth paperback named — ‘Unforgettable Chapters Memoirs of a Top Cop.’ Via the 194-page long book, the 89-year-old retired IPS officer offers a thrilling journey across those landscapes of India, where he faced some of the most challenging internal security threats against the country, such as terror-struck Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, the Maoist insurgency and Left Wing Extremism-marred North East.
The 1959-batch retired IPS officer, who was the architect of numerous police reforms in the country during his service, stated that as a Cop, his “highest religion was to uphold the rule of law as long as he donned the khaki (police uniform).” The book elucidates not only his experiences as a witness but also his trysts as a participant in some of the major events that took place in India. He said the book, probably his last, was a record for present and future police officers and also for the people to know the “trials and tribulations” faced by a police officer.
It is pertinent to mention that based on Officer Singh’s PIL, the Supreme Court had in September 2006 directed all states, Union Territories, and the Centre to bring in police reforms aimed at insulating them from political machinations and to bring about efficiency and accountability in its functioning.
The book release was attended by the former Supreme Court Judge Madan B Lokur, who was also the Chief Guest at the event. Justice Lokur stated that he had “read the book cover-to-cover.” He advocates that such literature should be taught to police, defence and civil services officers. His views were reiterated by Lt. Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain who also attended the event.
During the event, a vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Prakash Singh’s son, who is the incumbent deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) — Mr. Pankaj Kumar Singh (1988-batch IPS officer), who followed the footsteps of his father and also headed the BSF as its DG.
