Midfielder Indumathi 'Plays' in opposition to COVID-19 Wearing Khaki Uniform

Chennai, May 27: In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, the police officers and medical professionals are risking their lives to mitigate the virus. One such attempt can be seen by a footballer-turned-police officer who is ensuring that all the norms are followed amongst the people in order to flatten the pandemic.

 

 

Keeping an eye on the streets of Anna Nagar, Chennai, and wearing the traditional khaki uniform with a surgical mask stretched over her face, and a pair of gloves pulled over her hands for protection is Women’s Football Team midfielder Indumathi Kathiresan.

 

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju lauded the midfielder saying, " My heart swells with pride when I see our players like Indumathi who plays football for India and also perform duty wearing khaki uniform during COVID-19 pandemic!"

 

 

 

“It has been a difficult situation for the entire country. But taking the necessary precautions is paramount to the safety of one and all. We try to ensure that everybody is observing the guidelines and that nobody who does not need to be outside.”

 

If being part of national football teams demands a disciplined and strict routine life so is the life of a police officer especially in this lockdown. She has had to follow a rigorous routine, where she has to report for duty at seven in the morning and has to keep patrolling the streets till almost midnight every day.

 

In these difficult times, everyone wants to spend time with family but Indumati decided to play for the nation in this crisis. “It has been a demanding time for me personally. I have barely had the time to do anything else. In difficult times like these, you generally want to spend some time with your family, but I have not had many opportunities to do that. It is a call for the nation. I have to play for the nation every day during COVID-19 pandemic, and I had to respond fast.”

 

The creative midfielder whose duties keep changing on a day-to-day basis feels that the lockdown has been especially difficult for her fellow police officers. “Our duty schedules keep changing. Sometimes we are on night duty as well, sometimes vehicle-check, and so on. Some of us like myself, have to travel long distances to our stations as well. It has been a difficult time. But I don’t have any complaints,” the Tamil Nadu Police Sub-Inspector stated.

 

Though there are many obstacles the 2019 SAFF Women’s Championship joint-top scorer feels a sense of honor, serving her country whichever way she can.

 

Recalling the moments like when her team qualified for the Olympic Qualifiers Round 2 and when they won the SAFF Championship last year, she remembers them very vividly.

 

She also takes a lot of pride in serving the country in the police uniform, at a time when the nation needs us the most. She said she will keep serving as long as my nation needs me to serve.

 

The 25-year-old, who also won the Hero IWL title with Sethu FC last season hopes that her toil in the police uniform during this emergency will help people understand the importance of taking the necessary precautions in order to prevent contracting the Coronavirus.

 

In the end, she and her colleagues are working day and night for the people for the country. In turn, she asked to help out by following the safety precautions and keeping ourselves safe.