Viswajit Kampati, Rajanna, Sircilla district Superintendent of Police, was on a different kind of adventure this October. He was the only IPS officer from the state to be chosen by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for the annual visit of police party at Hot Springs in Ladakh on October 21.
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) selects the nominees based on their fitness.
“Every year, a group of 20 police officers representing different States and Central Police Forces visit the Hot Springs. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) selects the nominees based on their fitness. I’m glad that I represented Telangana to pay homage to Indian policemen who laid down their lives, combating Chinese troops in 1959,” Viswajit shares.
SP Viswajit Kampati
Sharing details about the trip, he reveals, “It was an 18-day road trip with 20 members (eight IPS and 12 non-IPS) and it was like a pilgrimage. We embarked on a road trip from Chandigarh — via Kulu, Sarchu, Keylong, Phobrang and reached Hot Springs, where the commemoration takes place every year. A statue has been erected to remember the sacrifice made by the Indian soldiers. I paid homage, and also got goosebumps thinking about the patriotism that was shown by these martyrs.”
The 29-year-old also had to endure a few challenges during the short expedition. “The temperature was in minus. It was so chilly that a glass of water turned into ice the next morning. Also, since the location was 18,875 ft above sea level, adapting to lack of oxygen and pressure was difficult. In fact, two officers backed off in the middle because of mountain sickness. We indulged in local cuisines and at barren lands (with no civilian population), we survived on protein bars and were accommodated in tent camps at times,” he shares.
Ask him about what he learnt and he replies, “Since it was an IB event, I got a chance to interact with members from NIA, RAW, SPG, NSG, RPF, BSP, CRPF, etc. I witnessed the extreme conditions and hardships of the people living at the border. This experience helped me in not only understanding life better, but would also come in handy if I join the central forces in the future,” explains Viswajit, who, interestingly, quit IAS to get into IPS. “I’m very passionate about my job and at times, I get carried away. I get angry very quickly and it lands me in trouble, but I’m okay with it,” he says with a laugh. When he’s not at work, Viswajit likes to work on fitness and play with his pets.
