During yet another visit to Hyderabad in association with my Beauty With A Purpose (BWAP) project 10-9-8, I had the honour and opportunity to meet Anjani Kumar IPS, Police Commissioner of Hyderabad, to discuss the possibilities to amplify the national child helpline number 1098. While he appreciated my vision to be the voice of vulnerable children, he suggested I literally lend my voice. Soon the tiny vision in my head gained its wings and we decided to go for it. Anjani made it possible for me to lend my voice at traffic signals of Hyderabad city to promote awareness about the hotline.

“We have about 40 important junctions in the city, where traffic flow is very, very heavy. Now, at every red light, we have about 100 to 200 captive audiences waiting for the signal light to turn green. So, you have a cushion of a few minutes to deliver your message,” he exclaimed and further expressed that it is a matter of great happiness for him and his entire police force to join me in my special drive to combat crime and to popularize 10-9-8, for child protection.

He further recommended that I consider this initiative in Hyderabad as a pilot project and sort out issues in every aspect to later replicate it in all other districts. His words of wisdom and encouragement sure helped me gain the confidence to move ahead on my mission to promote the safety and security of children in my home state, Telangana, and later the whole country. “Hyderabad city police with all its officers and the entire city are together in this drive to keep Hyderabad city, Telangana state safe for children and also to bring Laurel and glory to the state of Telangana,” he concluded.

Thank you, officer Anjani and the whole police force, for being an influential guide to my BWAP project 10-9-8.