The Hindu : Healing project rejuvenates policemen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 02, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Healing project rejuvenates policemen

By Sahana Charan

BANGALORE JUNE 1. They regulate the movement of vehicles but as far as their health is concerned the traffic police in Bangalore can do with some advice themselves.

A pilot project carried out to improve the health of traffic police personnel here has revealed that a majority of them suffer from high stress and anxiety and other problems.

Besides, only 10 per cent of them have knowledge of their poor health.

A healing programme initiated by the All-India Pranic Healing Foundation for 119 Bangalore City traffic police personnel between March and April this year showed fairly good results.

Following this, the team from the foundation, headed by J.P.Vrunda, has developed a one-year pranic healing programme for 1,800 traffic police personnel. But the project has been delayed due to shortage of funds and lack of interest from the Police Department.

Though the department was earlier keen on initiating the programme, the costs and the considerable time involved seem to have dampened its spirits.

However, if agencies are willing to fund the project, it may see the light of the day.

"The pilot programme was sponsored by the foundation, and the traffic personnel who participated in it showed improvement. This led to a proposal to have a special health programme for all traffic police personnel. But since the project requires a lot of funds and also time from the traffic police, it has not started yet," Utkarsh Mehta, research co-ordinator at the foundation told The Hindu.

The most common problems noticed among the traffic policemen were mental stress, respiratory disorders, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Of the 119 diagnosed, 45 had subnormal lung functions, and 45 were overweight. A consistent healing programme could improve their health, he said.

This model could be used to improve the health of any service personnel such as those from the Army, and government officials or professionals. The basic idea behind the project was to enhance productivity of individuals through adoption of a healthy lifestyle, Mr. Mehta added.

The programme includes detailed assessment and treatment. During the course of treatment, traffic personnel would be provided information on better health management through booklets and audio cassettes. They would be trained to cope with adverse job conditions with the help of yoga, exercise, diet, and other methods.

The outcome is already evident. Many traffic policemen who were part of the project have reported better health. S.Suresh, head constable, who was suffering from hypertension, said he felt more relaxed and his blood pressure was normal.

"I can do better physical activity and have a normal appetite now," says Giriaiah G., head constable, who is diabetic.

Amar Kumar Pandey, DCP Traffic (East), said: "The pranic healing project was very beneficial to the traffic police personnel. The department is keen on continuing the programme." However, though the project might continue, it might not be on a large scale, he added.

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