Blending law and creativity for social awareness

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Jagdalpur, ASP Maheshwar Nag is not just a law enforcer but a creative force, merging his policing duties with artistic pursuits to enhance public awareness on crucial issues. His tenure spanning over a decade is marked by innovative approaches to police work, exemplified by his recent success in a national short film competition. Nag’s film, ‘Raksha Sutra’, contended against 460 entries from 19 states in 6 languages and won second prize. The film, directed by Hitesh Dewangan and featuring Chollywood actors Deepak Sahu and Kajal Sonber, runs for just over two minutes but leaves a lasting impact on road safety awareness. For this achievement, Nag was felicitated by Chief Minster Vishnu Deo Sai. Speaking about his film, Nag highlights the gravity of road safety. “Hundreds of people lose their lives in road accidents, which is an irreparable loss. Serious efforts have to be done to minimise road accidents,” he asserts, emphasising the importance of his creative endeavors in spreading awareness.

 

“Under the guidance of my senior police officers, I had been working on spreading road safety awareness amongst public, wherever I had been posted,” Maheshwar Nag stated. At 44, this 2007 batch DSP has journeyed through various roles, from Ambagarh Chowki to his current posting in Jagdalpur. His efforts in maintaining law and order have consistently received accolades from the Director General of Police (DGP), marking him as a formidable figure in law enforcement. Yet, it is his creative flair that truly sets him apart. As ASP in the Naxal-affected Kondagaon district, Nag spearheaded the launch of a music album featuring songs in Chhattisgarhi and Halbi dialects. He lent his voice to three of these songs aimed at persuading Maoists towards peaceful mainstream integration. In Kawardha, Nag’s short films on traffic awareness influenced public behavior significantly. His artistic talents also shone in the patriotic music album ‘Bharat Maa Ke Lal’, which garnered appreciation across the state. Beyond filmmaking, Nag’s storytelling prowess is evident in his scriptwriting.

 

A registered member of the Script Writers Association (SWA) in Mumbai, he scripted the successful Chollywood movie “Sanju ke Dulhaniya” and is working on scripts for an animation movie and another based on Naxalism, all out of personal interest and without charge. Nag’s creativity extends beyond filmmaking to conceptualizing a road safety tableau, awarded by the Chief Minister at the 2024 Republic Day parade in Jagdalpur. He expressed gratitude towards his IG and SP for their guidance. Crafted resourcefully with minimal budget using abandoned vehicles and featuring policemen as actors, this tableau highlights his ingenuity and commitment. His YouTube channel ‘Fun Fitness Fantasy’ reflects his diverse interests, attracting followers and subscribers statewide. But his commitment to basic policing hasn’t waned. He’s led many antiNaxal operations, proving his mettle as a law enforcer. Maheshwar’s life story is as multifaceted as his career.

 

A product of Jawahar Navoday Vidyalay, he was an excellent football player, participating in national tournaments. His postgraduate degree in Anthropology complements his diverse skill set. Inspired by his father, a retired officer in the Forest Department, Nag always aspired to don a uniform. Starting in the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF), he later cracked the CGPSC exams to become a DSP. His personal life is equally rich. His elder daughter, Ananya, is a celebrated folk singer and dancer with her own YouTube channel, Ananya Voice Creation. His wife, Shristi, a gold medalist in her academic pursuits, reflects the family’s tradition of excellence. ASP Maheshwar Nag’s journey is a stirring blend of duty, creativity, and impact. His work in law enforcement and his artistic endeavors in scriptwriting, filmmaking, and singing, demonstrate his commitment to not just enforcing the law but also enlightening and engaging the community he serves.