A police officer should be stoic and serious with stories of facing dangerous and life-threatening situations. This is the stereotype associated with a high-ranking police officer. But Prakash Mishra, a retired IPS officer, has a funny bone who believes in Charlie Chaplin's philosophy of ‘a day without laughter is a day wasted’. His debut book, Comedy in Khakee, is a rare peek into the life of police personnel. Rather than talking about the thrilling journey of a policeman, the book presents a more humane and funny side of this profession.
Comedy in Khakee, released on January 11, is a collection of funny anecdotes ranging from his childhood days to his tenure an IPS officer. Being a police officer is a serious profession but Mishra’s book reminds us of the importance of laughter and humour in daily life.
One notable aspect of the book is how it humanises the profession of a policeman. From training mishaps to mistaken identities and funny colleagues, Mishra has provided readers with a whole new perspective on law enforcement officers. One such incident narrated is from the training period when a serious officer who liked being called M.K. Das got the shock of his life when he was called U.K. Das during attendance. Upon clarification, the typographical error came to light due to which his name was changed to Urinal Kanti Das from Mrinal Kanti Das. Mishra recalls how M.K. Das still carries this nickname! Through such lighthearted moments, Mishra highlights the camaraderie and humour that make even the toughest professions bearable.
In popular culture, policemen are either portrayed as heroic or pure evil and corrupt. Mishra, however, takes a completely different approach. Choosing neither of the two, Mishra shows how fallible even a police officer can be. He portrays himself not as a smart kid but a mischievous one - someone who could hang a bicycle over a tree with a note of help stuck onto it. He recounts how he went to the library not to become smart but to act like one!
Mishra’s book narrates his witty yet simple life. He writes in his book: “Why should we surrender to the dull, drab and regular routine and lead a life without mirth and laughter? The child within us is waiting to be indulged. Let us not disappoint him”.
The book is written in a conversational style, free from twists and turns. The stories are simple, narrating day-to-day incidents elevated by wit and humour, making the mundane extraordinary.
Comedy in Khakee: The Humorous Memoirs of a Policeman
Author: Prakash Mishra
Pages: 198
Publisher: Srishti Publishers & Distributors
Price: 299
