Chennai: The picturesque Elliot’s Beach has been a favourite spot for all kinds of celebrations for a long time now. It so happens that many who use the premises for their parties, clean up the space before leaving. But the one time it was not to be, beach walkers were left fuming. However, a policeman jumped into action and took those responsible to task.
When News Today got in touch with Eben Christopher, he was surprised.
“I did a small thing and am receiving widespread appreciation,” says the Grade One constable with the Shasthri Nagar police station, who is in charge of the beach for the past six months.
On 29 March at 2.30 pm, 19 empty cake boxes were strewn on the pavement, few meters from the police booth. Later, when walkers arrived in the evening, they were furious to see the area left dirty following a birthday celebration.
“I reported for duty at the beach at 4.30 pm. Three senior citizens- an ex-Army man, a former bureaucrat and a retired bank officer, said that they were unhappy about what happened and that the offenders must be punished. I was taken aback, as no one had left the beach in such a way in the past. I could have told them to lodge a complaint at the station or the department, but I did not want to,” he says.
“Instead, I checked the boxes for the bakery’s name and made a call. Initially, they refused to give the customers’ names and details, but later with some difficulty, I got the required information. When I called the number, it turned out to be a young boy I know. I subsequently asked him to come with his friends to the beach,” he narrates. It is said that the boys brought 19 cakes for a birthday celebration.
“I just gave them the necessary things and got them to clean up. I did not say that it was a punishment for messing up the place,” he states. By 6 pm, the place was cleared by the gang, it is learnt.
“I am being praised from all quarters now. Deputy Commissioner, Adyar, Shashank Sai, appreciated me, while other Inspectors and beach users also said what I did was good,” he concludes.