As part of the Bangalore police force, we were keeping strict vigil after the lockdown was announced. We worked round the clock to ensure no unnecessary movement was happening. On 30th March around midnight, my team stopped a speeding vehicle near the Byapanahalli check post. When asked, the occupants gave lame excuses. My team got suspicious and opened the car to check inside. They were shocked to find a calf barely four days old on the rear seat, wrapped in a plastic sheet, staring timidly at them! The occupants told that they were taking the abandoned calf home. Not convinced with the answers, my team took the calf out. Grabbing the opportunity, the car sped away. The team got the calf to the police station and kept me posted about the same.
Next day around 8:30 am, when I saw the calf for the first time at the police station, I knew I couldn’t let go of him. I decided that he would continue to stay there and we would look after him. Fortunately, my seniors supported my decision.
I instinctively named him Bhima. Why Bhima? Because as a child I used to be fascinated by the stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. I still remember that I used to watch the serials on our neighbour’s TV and read books on them. My favorite character was Bhima – he was strong and large-hearted. That’s why I named the calf Bhima and true to his name, he started spreading smiles.
During the migrant movement, our station had witnessed thousands of migrants – vulnerable and helpless, waiting for hours in the sweltering heat along with their wives and kids. It was during such times that we saw the kids share a special bond with Bhima. They forgot their problems and were engrossed in playing with him. It was also heartwarming to see the migrant mothers sharing the milk packets with Bhima along with their own kids. In June we also celebrated Kara Hunime, a festival where cattle is worshipped. As per the tradition, we bathed, painted, and decked him up with colorful pompoms, hip belts, and foot bells. As he was growing up fast, we put the nose ring on him so that we could handle him better.
On 10th July when I got transferred to the cybercrime department, I had to quickly think of an alternate arrangement.
On 12th July, I shifted Bhima to my friend’s farm in Kolar. This is in his best interests. Here he will grow up well, be taken of, and he will also have friends of his own clan which is an important part of their growing up process. Besides, there is a lot of open space where he can roam freely – something that he missed in the police station. And of course, since Kolar is only 70 kms away, I can always visit him during weekends. Keeping vigil 24×7, managing the Covid situation and the migrant movement, plus our regular duties– in the midst of all this, Bhima came as a ray of hope and happiness. Though I miss seeing him everyday, I know he is growing up well.
Mohammed Rafi
BeingYou ©2020
