Comedy in Khakee provides an insightful look into the lives of police officers
Bhaskar Parichha
Comedy in Khakee: The Humorous Memoirs of a Policeman
Prakash Mishra
Srishti Publishers & Distributors
New Delhi
A police officer is typically viewed as serious and composed, especially when discussing experiences that involve dangerous and life-threatening situations. This perception is often associated with the image of a senior police official.
In contrast, Prakash Mishra, a retired IPS officer, embraces humor and aligns with Charlie Chaplin’s notion that a day without laughter is a day lost. His debut book, Comedy in Khakee, provides an insightful look into the lives of police officers. Rather than highlighting the thrilling aspects of police work, the book reveals a more relatable and humorous side of the profession.
The launch of Comedy in Khakee was graced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday at IMMT- Bhubaneswar, with former IAS officer Prasanna Mishra presiding over the event, which attracted a large audience.
The book features a collection of entertaining anecdotes that range from Mishra’s childhood to his tenure as an IPS officer. While the responsibilities of a police officer are serious, Mishra’s writing underscores the importance of humor and laughter in daily life. A notable aspect of the book is its ability to portray police officers as relatable individuals.
Mishra recounts various humorous incidents, including training mishaps, cases of mistaken identity, and amusing colleagues, offering readers a refreshing viewpoint on law enforcement. One particularly memorable tale involves a training session where a serious officer, M.K. Das, was humorously shocked to find his name mistakenly recorded as U.K. Das during a roll call. This typographical error resulted in the amusing nickname Urinal Kanti Das, which Mishra notes M.K. Das still carries to this day. Through these lighthearted stories, Mishra highlights the camaraderie and humor that can enhance even the most demanding professions.
In contemporary culture, police officers are often depicted as either valiant heroes or wholly corrupt villains. However, Mishra adopts a markedly different perspective. He neither aligns with the heroic nor the nefarious archetype, instead illustrating the inherent fallibility of police officers. He presents himself not as an exceptionally intelligent individual, but rather as a playful character—someone capable of hanging a bicycle from a tree with a note asking for assistance. He shares his experiences of visiting the library, not to gain knowledge, but to merely emulate the appearance of being knowledgeable.
Mishra’s narrative unfolds his clever yet uncomplicated existence. He expresses in his writing: “Why should we succumb to a monotonous, uninspired routine and live a life devoid of joy and laughter? The child within us yearns for indulgence. Let us not let him down.”
The book is written in a friendly, engaging style, steering clear of complex storylines. The stories are simple and relatable, highlighting daily life moments that are sprinkled with humor and cleverness, turning the mundane into something extraordinary.
(The author is a senior journalist and columnist. Views expressed are personal.)
#Book #BookReview #ComedyInKhakee #HumorousMemoirs #PoliceHumor #PrakashMishra #IPSOfficer #LifeOfAPoliceman
