Date:18/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/18/stories/2008091858760200.htm

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Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Stitching khaki uniform for decades

Staff Reporter

‘Nagesh Tailors’ dresses up the entire Police Department

D. Yadagiri delivers about 200 uniforms every day
He is a head constable at Police Commissionerate

— Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

Perfectionist: D. Yadagiri is much sought-after tailor of the Police Department.

HYDERABAD: For decades, sizing up the police has been his calling. Devulapalli Yadagiri is lesser known for his job as a Head Constable at Police Commissionerate than for his passion of making uniforms for the security staff, be it home guards or the DGP. One finds it hard to believe that his inconspicuous shop ‘Nagesh Tailors’ opposite to Amberpet Police Lines dresses up the entire police department to the nines.

“Battalions arrived from all over the State for Ganesh immersion bundobust. Many have placed orders for fresh uniforms. Our hands are full,” says Yadagiri. As of now, he is delivering about 200 uniforms per day. Only January 26 and August 15 match this kind of demand, he says.

Hailing from Suryapet, Yadagiri inherited his father’s profession as tailor. He had been a ladies’ tailor at Kali Kabar even while studying Intermediate.

After selection as constable in 1975, he began observing the uniform with the keenness of a tailor’s eye. Within a year, he found himself busy stitching police uniforms, each complete with star-pads, whistle-cord, belt and other regalia. Now, Yadagiri has about 50 workers under him.

Also running two more shops near the Andhra Pradesh Police Academy and the Begumpet Police Lines, he has no rivals in the business, thanks to the unsavoury aspect of dealing with hot-headed cops. He also has custom-made uniforms stitched to suit various sizes, and priced between Rs.500 and Rs.5,000. A

lso stocked up are caps, belts, shoes, socks and other official accessories.

“One only has to enter my shop. He or she will go out dressed to perfection as cop,” he says proudly. The best moment, he recalls, was when IG Gautam Sawang visited his shop for uniform. Otherwise, Yadagiri pays house calls to the top officials.

He also wields the needle for NCC, Traffic cops, RTA, Customs, Excise, Fire Service, and others.