Ahmedabad, Apr 5 (TOI) : It was a routine day at Shahibaug police headquarters on Tuesday morning as policemen lined up ready for an inspection. However, here was the difference - the assistant commissioner of police (ACP) was a 10-year-old boy who gravely went through the official procedure. However, the teen in uniform could not hold back his tears after more than 50 policemen saluted him and promised to become his friend for life. It was a wish fulfilled for Aniket Parmar, the feisty teen battling with bone cancer.
Aniket, a resident of Shahibaug, was diagnosed with cancer a year back and since then has been subject to a number of treatments. During this period, he came in touch with officials of Make-A-Wish Foundation who asked for his dream in life. "I want to become a policeman," pat came the reply. To make his dream come true, the officials met with senior city police officials who happily agreed to help.
Shamsher Singh, joint commissioner of police (special), told that it was a memorable experience for them as well. "Aniket was brought in a police van to the police headquarters where city police commissioner S K Saikia and other police officials were present. Aniket was given stars and designation of an ACP, a memorable moment for any officer. He then saluted the commissioner and resumed his duty for the day," said Singh.
Aniket took the responsibility seriously and observed the parade where he also ordered the constables for the drill and later visited various offices. He was later taken to Shahibaug police station for a police station inspection. As he entered the cabin, A S Shukla, police inspector, rose from his seat and offered it to the ACP. Shukla then shown him various records of the police station and briefed him about the day-to-day functioning.
"For two full hours, the child lived one of his most cherished dreams - being a police officer. It was something that no money in the world can buy. We are very happy for him. We have often observed that children recover quickly after such a life-changing incident and we hope the same for Aniket," said Roopande Shah, program coordinator for Make-A-Wish Foundation.
She added that every month, they fulfill wishes of 25 children, giving them glitter in the eye. "While most of the children want something such as a tour or a movie viewing or meeting a celebrity, some want to live up to their dream of becoming somebody in the life. It is second instance in last four years where a child has been made a police officer. We have got great response from city police. Other professions chosen by children include being a doctor, engineer or teacher," said Shah