Mangaluru: It was a double delight for our very own Men in Khaki this Friday at the plush TMA convention centre, here in Mangaluru.

While the policemen were excited to learn some great aerobic moves during a training session, a larger section of them was happy to be visiting the plush venue for the very first time.

Thanks to the out of the box thinking of Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Dr S D Sharanappa, an alternative doze of drills for the cops had a pleasant change from the routine. An aerobic session in TMA Pai Convention Centre it was!

The SP during his tenure here has been implementing path-breaking initiatives to keep his men motivated as he believes that it is their job satisfaction which will drive them to work harder.

Realizing the need for a stress buster, the Convention Centre lent its space on a short notice, free of cost.

As the SP himself confessed, 95 per cent of them did not know what aerobics meant. But, it was Srujan, a physiotherapy student of the city, who also works as an instructor in a private fitness firm who introduced the men to aerobics.

The enthusiastic instructor made over 120 to 150 tough cops dance to his tunes.

Sharanappa said: “The shift from District Armed Reserve Grounds to the luxurious Convention Centre at least for a day has left our men really happy. I could see them enjoying the serene music in the background, opening up themselves keeping all the stress at bay. For one of the very few times, they too felt empowered and privileged.”

Not many days ago, the district police enjoyed some quality time out at Tannirbhavi beach where a ‘Beach run and walk’ programme was held for them. They had played games too.

Asked if this chain of events to freshen his men would continue, the SP on a lighter note said that he was sure of only one thing – the men would get back to work and handle it efficiently under pressure.