The real Singam IPS

by R.V. Rajan, rvrajan42@gmail.com

“His name was Singaravelu but was known as Singam, because he was a conscientious and bold police officer who believed in the power of innovative reforms. A lion both inside and outside his den.” This description appearing on the back cover of a book of memoirs of Mr. Singaravelu IPS, a popular police officer of his time, sums up the essence of the man. The book has been compiled by his sons Shivaram and Suresh, based on a number of articles and notes that their father had left behind. The book portrays policing issues in the decades prior to and post Independence and, in some cases, the novel methods adopted in those days.

Born on 17th March, 1915, Singam graduated from Madras University and joined the erstwhile Madras State service as a sub-divisional police officer on 23rd December, 1937.

During the war, he served as the Petrol Rationing Officer, at Madras, Air Raid Prevention Officer in Coimbatore and as Deputy Civil Defense Officer at the Madras Port Trust. On the day of Independence, he joined as ADC to Rajaji who was then the Governor of West Bengal. At intervals he held special assignments in Delhi – as ADC to the Governor General at Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Joint Deputy Director in the Intelligence Bureau, Joint Director (Security) Railway Board, and as the First Inspector General of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

As Madras Police Commissioner in 1965, he had to deal with the Anti-Hindi agitation. At the fag end of his service, following the Marxist agitation, he was posted as IG of Kerala, a job which he accepted with reluctance because Kerala was known to be a “graveyard for many a reputation”. But it was in Kerala that he introduced many innovative reforms which made him a very popular police officer among both the public and the government. Among the nearly 72 different reforms he introduced to revitalise the police in Kerala during his two year stint as IG, two stand out – the opening of the first all women police station at Calicut, the first of its kind in the world, by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi; and the opening of the first Police Hospital in Trivandrum by V.V. Giri the then President. These got Singam a lot of laurels from both the Government and the police establishment.

After 37 years of police service and another stint for six years as Member, Union Public Service Commission, he retired from service at the age of 65. After retirement he became busy as the Founder-Editor of the Police Digest which tried to build an enduring bridge between the Police and the public. A gifted writer both in English and Tamil, his pen was as mighty as his baton. Both as a person and as a writer, he was known for his sense of humour.

A widely travelled man, his hobbies included golf. He was also a regular contributor of articles to leading newspapers and magazines of the time. He passed away on 10th September, 1994.

Let me share with you some interesting anecdotes from the book.

Immediately after graduation, while he was working in the office of Sri Krishna Iyer, formerly secretary to the Legislative Assembly and a friend of the family, Singam was persuaded to apply for the job of Deputy Superintendent of Police. Based on tips given to him he had gone for the interview well prepared.

After the other members of the interview committee had their turn, the Chairman took up the thread and asked, “Why do you want to join the police?”

“Sir, I can give you no better reason than what is inscribed on the King’s police medal.”

“What is inscribed there?”

“To Guard My People.”

Though he had not seen the medal, Singam had read a news item in The Hindu that had reported a speech by Sir John Anderson, the then Governor of West Bengal, in which he had exhorted the officers and men to follow the motto ‘To Guard My People’ as inscribed in the medal. The answer impressed the interviewing committee. His final interview was with Rajaji who was then the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

Singam was later to recall that both the interviews were examples of model interviews, especially the one with Rajaji, who had conducted it with great decorum, deep understanding and in a deliberate un-hurried manner, sparing an uninterrupted thirty five minutes. His telephones had not rung even once to disturb him and no officer or peon walked in to distract him.

After spending the first year as a Probationer in ‘Andhra Desa’ Singam was posted as ARP (Air Raid Prevention Officer) Coimbatore between 1938 and 1941. One day, the Governor, who was on a visit with his wife, was inspecting the parade along with the Collector of the District in his capacity as the ARP Controller of Coimbatore District. He complimented Singam on the impressive strength and enthusiasm of the participants. When he enquired about the strength of the parade, Singam did not have the statement ready nor could he plead ignorance and spoil all the kudos earned for the organisation. So instinctively, he replied that it was 1123. Singam later reassured himself that there are occasions when an untruth could avoid an embarrassing situation and it is no crime to resort to it. However since that incident he always ensured that he had all the statements ready as it was an essential requisite according to the drill manual.

In the next posting at Mangalore, Singam had an interesting encounter with Rajaji. He was visiting Nileshwar, 40 miles away where he was to address a meeting. Singam was asked to supervise the arrangements. Rajaji had already begun his speech when Singam, tip toeing, quietly occupied a folding wooden chair. Rajaji had the gift of being informal even on a formal occasion. To the surprise of the audience he abruptly stopped his speech and pointing his finger at Singam remarked, “Young man, I am afraid, you are too heavy for that flimsy chair.” The entire audience burst into friendly laughter. This remark of Rajaji had a sly reference to Singam’s official interview with him immediately after recruitment, when he was weighing only 120 lbs. as against the 200 lbs. at that moment. Later in the evening at the rest house Rajaji posed a simple question to him. “Young man! Where is it that you think that our country is heading a few years hence?” As a lay man Singam responded that it would probably have to face the growing menace of the Muslim League. Rajaji differed and said, “Do not worry about the Muslim League; but remember our country will have to face communism of an extreme type.” Events have proved his prophecy. Gandhiji would repeatedly say that Rajaji always saw six months ahead of him. In this case he was seeing ten years ahead.

* * *

In his next posting at Salem in January, 1947, there was trouble in the Police lines between Caste Hindus and Harijan constables in drawing water from a well. The SP who asked Singam to conduct an enquiry had mildly hinted that as a devout Hindu, he would not like the well to be thrown open to non-Hindus and that Singam’s imminent promotion depended on what he recommended. As it was a human problem, he sent a report to say that since it was a government well, there should be no discrimination and suggested that the well be thrown open to all the constables without discrimination. Though no orders were passed by the SP based on his report, Singam soon found out that his immediate junior had been promoted and he had lost his promotion. While this demoralised him greatly, Indian Independence in August 1947 came to his rescue resulting in mass promotion and the restoration of his seniority. While he was getting ready to take over as the SP of North Arcot, the ruling SP told him that he was not going to North Arcot but to Calcutta to take over as ADC to Rajaji, the first Indian Governor of West Bengal.

It is obvious that Singam had the greatest admiration for Rajaji as can be inferred from the following passage from the book:

“I little imagined that I was destined to join a One Man University…. The subjects prescribed in this one man university were numerous. The main topics were the conquest of anger, probity in administration and financial integrity. Among the subsidiaries were the art of concentration and the evil of courting popularity…….His life was a perfect example of simple living full of decorum and high thinking leading to accomplishments, earning the country`s approbation. He placed truth on the highest pedestal. He was always for the right, unmindful of consequences.”

Rajaji also had great regard for Singam as can be seen from the following incidents:

Just prior to Independence, when Lord Mountbatten had to go to London for a duration of three weeks to attend Princess Elizabeth’s wedding. Rajaji acted as the Governor General for those weeks and as his ADC, Singam also accompanied him to Delhi. The swearing in of the Governor General was fixed for 12am, midnight. When Mountbatten’s Military Secretary showed the programme to Rajaji it was indicated that the British ADC would announce the arrival of the Governor General to the VVIPs assembled in the Hall. Rajaji scored this out in a red pencil and told the military secretary that “The honour of announcing the first Governor General who is an Indian should go to Singaravelu.” Singam had to rehearse over a few times practicing to announce “Shri Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari.” The function over, sipping coffee, Rajaji tickled Singam’s pride by telling the family members and the staff, “ You know, the honour of announcing the first Indian Governor General to the world went to Singaravelu.”

Rajaji was generally averse to travel in special planes because he felt that passenger planes were safer as they were regularly serviced. After Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination when Rajaji had to rush to Delhi, a seat was reserved for Rajaji on the regular morning flight with great difficulty. However, his family insisted that they should also go with him. Rajaji told Singam, “Singaravelu, you are coming not because I want you but because the family feels that I will be more secure in your company.”

While at Calcutta Raj Bhavan, Singam happened to see off the British ambassador and his consul in the lift. Out of courtesy as he was about to close the self operating lift, the Consul inside closed it a moment quicker as a result of which Singam’s index finger was chipped off. While he was being attended to by the Military Secretary who was also a surgeon, hearing of the incident, Rajaji walked in and asked if he was alright. Singam told him, “With the bit of the finger lost, I am feeling lighter.”
“Oh! You can also be humorous in a moment of pain,” said Rajaji. Later whenever he had to introduce Singam to his colleagues or friends he would remark, “Singaravelu had even shed blood for me”.

The book is published by Creative Workshop based in Chennai as a hard cover edition which is available only for family and friends. However, the paper back edition of the book for the public is expected to be available soon.

(To be concluded next fortnight)

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