A police officer is similar to God, feels Shankar Mahadev Bidari and it is this oneness with the divine being that inspired the Commissioner of Police, Bangalore City, to quit his job at the United Commercial Bank and join
the civil service.
In 1977, he joined the Karnataka Administrative Service as an assistant commissioner. A year later, he resigned to write the UPSC exam. He cleared it in the first attempt itself. Following his training in Mysore, he was posted to Belgaum as an additional superintendent of police in 1979.
“For me, nothing has changed since 1977 when I joined the service. Things are the same. It was the same when I was DSP and even now. Just the responsibilities have changed, but there’s no change in the work I do,” he says.
It might be surprising to know that Bidari never went to college. The poor financial situation at home forced Bidari to discontinue his studies after PUC. But he didn’t give up. He graduated in BA economics and political science, writing exams as an external candidate. Initially, Bidari worked as a telephone operator in the state postal and telegraph department.
After getting into the IPS, Bidari has never ever thought of changing his profession. “This is the most challenging and the best profession we have
today. Here, one gets the opportunity to protect the good and suppress the evil,” he reiterates.
“The most challenging case was while serving as the chief of Tamil Nadu’s Special Task Force,” he says. “I was attacked many times by sandalwood smuggler Veerappan’s gang members. In 1984, my bodyguard Honappa lost his life after he suffered bullet injuries. Even the signal officer who was
behind me suffered the bullet injuries, but he survived. Their quick response saved my life,” he adds.
At 58, Bidari is a busy man, but he has special time for his friends. “Thanks to the cricket matches in Bangalore, my friends approach me for tickets. I’m more than happy to get them the reservations, as I get to spend some time with them,” he says.
So what does he miss about the Bangalore he knew? “There are a lot of changes from the ’70s Bangalore. When I was training, I used to stay at Palace Guttahalli. I went by bus in the morning and walked back from Lido Theatre Road. I used to stop at a place near Brigade Road and buy a banana for 10 paisa and head to Kamat Hotel for dinner. A plate of sambar rice used to cost Rs 1.25. I used to get back home by 8.30pm. This routine ended after three months when I was transferred to Indi. Bangalore then was beautiful with lovely bungalows and no traffic. Things have changed now with excessive traffic and overcrowding. I miss the Bangalore of those days,” he rues.
Bidari’s interest
As a student, he has taken part in many debates. One such is on the United States’ Apollo landing on the moon in 1969. He won the first prize. Besides, Bidari is a voracious reader. “I used to spend one-third of my income on books. I love reading, with history, biographies and political issues being my favorite ones.”
One for the young!
“A student should study hard and set high goals and work towards achieving it. One should not allow divisional and sectarian thoughts to enter our minds. Power and respect does not come to us by the post we hold or on the account of wealth. But it comes by sacrifice, service, character and performance.” Spoken in true Bidari style.
—rakshita@expressbuzz.com