Gujarat Police on Thursday, 24 September 2026, honoured more than 30 retired officers of DGP and ADGP rank at a 'Salute Our Mentors' ceremony held at Police Bhavan, Gandhinagar. Director General of Police Gyanendra Singh Malik addressed the gathering, reflecting on how mentorship during his early postings continues to shape his leadership approach.

Origins of the Initiative

The programme was conceived two years ago by former State Police Chief Vikas Sahay as a structured effort to recognise retired senior officers whose contributions helped build the reputation and institutional culture of the Gujarat Police. The event is notable for bringing retired officers together with their families, framing the occasion as a collective acknowledgement rather than a formal ceremony.

What DGP Malik Said

Malik credited senior officers Priyadarshi and P.B. Gondia with guiding him during his field training at Himmatnagar, Sabarkantha. “I learned from them the importance of maintaining a weekly diary in English, conducting night rounds, personally recording statements of absent personnel and dealing sensitively with public grievances,” he said.

He also recalled how an inspection parade conducted by then Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gurdial Singh during his posting in Junagadh instilled in him the value of discipline. “As the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Prantij, I gained experience in police station management and handling Panchayat elections,” Malik added. He expressed gratitude to retired officers present, including former Police Commissioner Sanjay Srivastava, saying the practical knowledge imparted early in his career continues to guide him.

Voices from the Force

Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut observed that official service records document postings and promotions but fail to capture the personal sacrifices made by police personnel and their families. “Police officers often returned home late at night, resumed duty before their children woke up, worked during festivals and missed social occasions while ensuring public safety,” he said.

Gahlaut also acknowledged the role of spouses who manage households through frequent transfers and demanding circumstances, describing them as an unrecognised pillar of the police system. He argued that the force is shaped not only by rules and procedures, but by the “experience, traditions and discipline passed down by senior officers.”

Retired Officers Who Attended

Retired DGPs P.C. Pandey, S.S. Khandwawala, Satish Sharma, and Meera Ramnivas, along with retired ADGPs R.P. Priyadarshi, Vijaysinh Guman, and J.S. Bindra, shared their experiences at the event. Several described the programme as “unique to Gujarat and highly commendable.” Others in attendance included retired officers Pramod Kumar, Ashish Bhatia, Shivanand Jha, and Vikas Sahay, alongside serving senior officers.

Significance and What It Signals

The initiative reflects a broader institutional effort within the Gujarat Police to formalise institutional memory — the kind of tacit knowledge around crisis management, bandobast duty, and community policing that is rarely codified but often defines effective policing on the ground. As forces across India grapple with generational transitions in leadership, Gujarat’s approach of institutionalising mentorship recognition may offer a replicable model. The next edition of the programme is expected to continue the tradition, with the current leadership committed to sustaining it.