Train like Ram, embrace exile: Madhya Pradesh Police tells homesick recruits

Bhopal: In a bold cultural move, the Madhya Pradesh Police has decided to introduce nightly recitals of the Ramcharitmanas for fresh police recruits, drawing inspiration from Lord Ram’s legendary 14-year exile to instill resilience and discipline among trainees.

The decision comes amid a surge in requests from new recruits asking to be transferred to police training schools (PTS) closer to their hometowns. Authorities say over 300 of the 4,000 recruits undergoing basic training have already submitted transfer pleas — raising concerns about long-term adaptability in the force.

To tackle the rising wave of homesickness, Additional Director General (Training) Raja Babu Singh has rolled out an unusual intervention: nightly readings from the Ramcharitmanas, the revered epic by Tulsidas chronicling the life and trials of Lord Ram.

“Lord Ram stayed away from Ayodhya for 14 years, built alliances in exile, and faced adversities head-on. If our recruits can internalize even a fragment of that endurance, it will prepare them for real-world policing,” Singh told The Indian Express.

Each evening, two chapters of the Ramcharitmanas will be recited in all eight PTS barracks across the state before lights out, led by the barrack heads. Singh believes this daily spiritual exercise will not only ease anxiety and emotional distress but also help shape mentally stronger officers.

“If we allow a few transfers, it will open the floodgates. Policing is not about comfort — it's about character, adaptability, and courage,” he said, adding that lessons drawn from Indian traditions are often the most relatable and impactful for young trainees. 

This isn’t Singh’s first attempt to fuse spiritual wisdom with police training. During his earlier tenure in the Gwalior zone, he had launched a “Gita Gyan” initiative in jails, distributing copies of the Bhagavad Gita to inmates during Dussehra.

Alongside spiritual grounding, the MP Police is also doubling down on cultural and physical training. Recruits will now be introduced to regional folk martial arts and traditional dances, including advanced combat forms like Kalaripayattu. A full list of Indian martial traditions is being compiled for integration into the training curriculum.

To toughen physical endurance, commando-style bodyweight drills — including frog jumps, duck walks, monkey walks, and inchworm crawls — are being implemented to simulate natural combat movement.

With tradition, training, and toughness coming together, the Madhya Pradesh Police seems determined to shape its future force not just as protectors of law — but as warriors of discipline rooted in cultural pride.